Sanchez-Vicario eyes more records in Fed Cup
Slovakia, Italy and Austria will be vying for their first Fed Cup title when the semi-finals get underway on Wednesday, but all eyes are likely to be on Spain's Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.
Sanchez-Vicario is the most successful player in the event's history and will once again team up with 1994 Wimbledon champion and fellow 30-year-old Conchita Martinez for their clash against Austria at the Palacio de Congresos de Maspalomas.
Teenager Daniela Hantuchova leads the way as Slovakia face Italy in the other semi.
A veteran of all five of Spain's Fed Cup triumphs, Sanchez-Vicario may be in the twilight of her career, but she is still looking to break a host of records during the event this week.
Sixteen years on from her debut, the three-times French Open champion has been a stalwart of Spain's incredible success. They won their first title in 1991 and have since recorded four more wins and three runners-up efforts.
Not only can Sanchez-Vicario extend her record of 71 Fed Cup wins but she will be playing her 57th tie -- sharing the record with 1977 Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade -- in the team event against Austria.
Should Spain beat Austria, Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez will set a new record of 10 Fed Cup final appearances each, breaking the record they share with Americans Chris Evert and Billie-Jean King.
With a partisan crowd ready to cheer them on in Gran Canaria, Spain are the favourites to lift the title for the sixth time.
In addition to Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez, who will be making her first Cup appearance this year, Spain can also rely on the services of Magui Serna and Virginia Ruano-Pascual.
SENITMENTAL VOTE
While Sanchez-Vicario gets the sentimental vote, 19-year-old Hantuchova is the in-form player at the event.
The talented Slovak has broken into the world's top 10 in 2002 and she will be confident of guiding her country to the final.
"I'm really excited about Fed Cup this year because we did so well and we reached the semis," Hantuchova said recently.
"Beating France (in the quarter-finals) was something great, playing at home and the crowd was fantastic.
"I'm really honoured to be part of the Slovakian team, even though it's going to be very tough for me as it's near the end of the season.
"I'm going to try my best because I think we have a pretty good chance and I want us to get as far as possible."
Although Slovakia also have Janette Husarova, Henrieta Nagyova and Martina Sucha, Hantuchova will have to carry the hopes of her nation almost singlehandedly.
"All four teams can win and you cannot say who is the favourite and who has the best team but we do have Daniela," Husarova said tellingly.
Austria, who sensationally dumped the United States out in the first round in April, will be relying on the talent of Barbara Schett as they try to become the first unseeded nation to win the title. But they will have to do it without the injured Barbara Schwartz.
Left-hander Schwartz will be sorely missed for the semis as she was the inspiration behind Austria's demolition of the U.S by beating both Monica Seles and Meghann Shaughnessy.
Patricia Wartusch, Evelyn Fauth and Sybille Bammer complete the Austrian line-up.
Italy, who take on Slovakia in the semi-finals, will rely on Silvia Farina Elia and Francesca Schiavone to carry them into their first final.
World number 16 Farina Elia won both her singles matches in the 4-1 quarter-final win over Belgium, who were without the services of both Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters.
The draw for the semi-final programme takes place on Tuesday.
