Arina Rodionova will represent Australia as their second singles player in the 2016 Fed Cup facing a tough challenge in the first rubber, when she takes on world No.29, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12am (AEDT).
Schmiedlova as a seeding at the recent Australian Open was one of the many to bomb out in the early rounds. She suffered a demoralising straight sets loss to Darya Kasatkina in the first round.
Before that, she was in what could be called very ordinary form and this will certainly have her doubting a few things heading into this match.
Rodionova meanwhile, after having to qualify for the Open, made it all the way to the third round. She managed to record wins against low-ranked opponents Stephanie Vogt and Ying-Ying Duan before falling to Viktorija Golubic.
Interestingly, neither player loves playing on the hard courts all that much, although Schmiedlova who has won five of her seven previous Fed Cup matches is in the drivers seat, holding a 60 per cent winning average on hard courts.
The pair have never faced off before this match, and with the massive gap in world rankings and experience, you would have to think Schmiedlova holds the advantage in that regard.
The first rubber is such an important one in any Fed or Davis Cup, and this will be no exception. The talent goes right throughout the Slovakian team, and it looks like it will be a real uphill battle for the Australians, meaning they need an upset win from somewhere. There would certainly be no better place to start than this first rubber.
Prediction
Rodionova being picked for singles surprised many, with Casey Dellacqua and Kimberly Birrell missing out. It’s hard to see the tactic of playing Rodionova working for Australia though, with Schmiedlova being one of the better players on the world circuit, despite her early Australian Open exit. The talent gap between the pair is just too great.
Schmiedlova in straight sets, Australia in trouble early on.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first rubber at the 2016 Fed Cup first round between Australia and Slovakia from 12am (AEDT) and don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re following along with the action.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Unfortunately, I am really struggling to keep my eyes open and this is where I will leave the coverage. Be sure to follow our live scores in the main body of the article, as you will be able to with the Sam Stosur game later on. I will back tomorrow for hopefully, all three matches from 11pm (AEDT).
Scott Pryde
Expert
END FIRST SET, SCHMIEDLOVA 0 - 1 RODIONOVA Rodionova has some luck, but she takes the opening set in an hour and three minutes. Schmiedlova puts a forehand long in the deciding play. Schmiedlova 5 Rodionova 7
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rodionova puts one into the net. Back to deuce. Schmiedlova 5 Rodionova 6 - Deuce (2)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Strange sort of point this one with both players coming up and back, left to right but it will go back to deuce as Rodionova puts a backhand into the net. Schmiedlova 5 Rodionova 6 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Slow serve there from Rodionova. Schmiedlova comes up with a lob, and then a cracking forehand down the line. Schmiedlova 5 - Rodionova 6 - Deuce (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Schmiedlova puts a forehand into the net. Set point coming up. Schmiedlova 5 - 30 Rodionova 6 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rodionova with agood body serve, and then brings Schmiedlova forward. She recovers well and it is a very long rally that follows. Eventually the unforced error by Rodionova. Schmiedlova 5 - 30 Rodionova 6 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault on the first serve for Rodionova, before Schmiedlova tries to come forward. She retreats and is put under the pump with some cracking corner shots. She returns well though and Rodionova can only put it into the net. Schmiedlova 5 - 0 Rodionova 6 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Long rally this time, with both players trading momentum of the point. Eventually, Schmiedlova puts a forehand long. Schmiedlova 5 - 0 Rodionova 6 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rodionova starts strongly with a wide serve, and Schmiedlova puts a forehand wide. Schmiedlova 5 - 0 Rodionova 6 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rodionova to serve for the first set once again.
Scott Pryde
Expert
This first set is just about to hit the hour mark.
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's a very slow serve from Schmiedlova, but the tally that follows is a good one. Eventually Rodionova goes wide with a forehand and Schmiedlova can't return. Schmiedlova 5 Rodionova 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Schmiedlova with yet another double fault. Both into the net. Schmiedlova 5 - Rodionova 5 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault for Schmiedlova, before Rodionova with a cracking cross court return! What a shot. Schmiedlova 5 - Deuce (1) Rodionova 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
Schmiedlova with a fault before she is put under plenty of pressure and puts a backhand into the net. Some nice slices there from Rodionova. Schmiedlova 5 - 40 Rodionova 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault for Schmiedlova, before the second is returned expertly. Rodionova comes up to the net, and drops one over with Schmiedlova way out of position. Schmiedlova 5 - 40 Rodionova 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Both players a long way behind the baseline here in a very powerful rally. A long one at that, before Rodionova puts a forehand wide. Schmiedlova was slowly working forward there. Great work from her. Schmiedlova 5 - 40 Rodionova 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Schmiedlova goes the body serve. Gets Rodionova on the back foot fairly quickly, before coming forward to a drop shot and putting a forehand away. Schmiedlova 5 - 30 Rodionova 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Schmiedlova serves long now, before the second only just clears the net. Rodionova comes up, miss judges it and sends a forehand shot long. Schmiedlova 5 - 15 Rodionova 5 - 0