Serena battles cough as Williams sisters see US through in Fed Cup

February 09, 2015 11:15 IST

Serena Williams

Serena Williams, eight,of the US greets Maria Irigoyen of Argentina after their Fed Cup World Group II match in Buenos Aires. Photograph: Enrique Marcarian/Reuters

A persistent, nagging cough bothering World No 1 Serena Williams since her Australian Open victory gave Argentina a chink of light in their one-sided Fed Cup tie against the United States on Sunday.

However, Argentine No 1 Paula Ormaechea’s 6-4, 6-4 win over Coco Vanderweghe, standing in for Williams, was a minor setback on the Americans’ way to a 4-1 victory in the World Group II tie at Pilara outside Buenos Aires.

Serena And Venus Williams

Mary Joe Fernandez, Fed Cup captain of the U.S. team, talks to players Venus, left, and Serena Williams. Photograph: Enrique Marcarian/Reuters

“Since last night, we’d seen that (Serena) wasn’t going to play much... I knew I would have revenge,” Ormaechea, beaten in two sets by Venus Williams on Saturday, told reporters.

Venus Williams dispatched Maria Irigoyen 6-1, 6-4 as the record 17 times champions US cruised towards a promotion playoff in April in their bid to regain World Group I status.

“It was a great atmosphere, we played well and I’m proud of the win,” said Venus Williams.

The Williams sisters had put their team 2-0 up on Saturday with wins over world number 121 Ormaechea and number 197 Irigoyen whose country were seeded and had a choice of court, opting for clay, despite the huge gap in world rankings favouring the Americans.

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