France at the 2001 Federation Cup

Federation Cup is the biggest sporting event in women’s tennis. ITF started Federation Cup on its 50th anniversary in 1963. Federation Cup is the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup. France has been participating in Fed Cup right from the beginning and has competed in all the editions of the tournament. France Fed Cup team has managed to clinch the title on two occasions. France clinched its first Fed Cup title in 1997, defeating Netherlands 4-1 at Brabant Hall, Den Bosch, Netherlands. The 2001 Federation Cup offered exciting and spectacular performances. France at the 2001 Federation Cup participated in the tournament from World Group play off round.

France at the 2001 Federation Cup started its campaign from World Group Play off round and secured World Group place, where it was placed in pool A along with Argentina, Czech Republic and Russia. France gave awesome display of power and accuracy to beat Italy 4-1 in the World Group Play off round and entered the World Group. They met Czech Republic in the first round robin tie of World Group at Parque Ferial Juan Carlos l, Madrid, Spain. Displaying scintillating performance France brushed aside Czech Republic 3-0. In the next round robin tie, Russia fought hard leaving France with 1-2 defeat. France rallied back to win the last round robin tie against Argentina by 2-1. But this victory could not help France to make headway in the tournament.

France at the 2001 Federation Cup made dashing start in the tournament, defeating Italy flatly. But in the crucial stage of the tournament they could not handle the pressure. France played well in all the ties but could not scratch out win over Russia in the World Group round. This defeat ousted them out of the tournament but their overall performance was satisfactory. France could retain World Group place in 2002 Fed Cup.