Tennis: Japan optimistic about Russia clash
Japan and Russia will compete with each other for the first time in the Fed Cup.
MOSCOW:
Japan are hoping to perform well against Russia in the two nations’ first ever meeting in the Fed Cup this weekend but admit that they will have their work cut out to win the spoils in the first-round clash.
“It will be a tough match because Russian team players are very strong,” said Japan veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm. “But we need to believe in ourselves and perform at our best. Everything is possible in the Federations Cup. Just remember 1996, when we managed to beat Germany’s team, which was spearheaded by the brilliant Steffi Graf.”
The 42-year-old Date-Krumm said she was also encouraged by her record against Russia’s Maria Kirilenko, having beaten her twice in as many meetings. But she said it was impossible to predict what the outcome would be, as the two teams face off in Moscow.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2013.
Japan are hoping to perform well against Russia in the two nations’ first ever meeting in the Fed Cup this weekend but admit that they will have their work cut out to win the spoils in the first-round clash.
“It will be a tough match because Russian team players are very strong,” said Japan veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm. “But we need to believe in ourselves and perform at our best. Everything is possible in the Federations Cup. Just remember 1996, when we managed to beat Germany’s team, which was spearheaded by the brilliant Steffi Graf.”
The 42-year-old Date-Krumm said she was also encouraged by her record against Russia’s Maria Kirilenko, having beaten her twice in as many meetings. But she said it was impossible to predict what the outcome would be, as the two teams face off in Moscow.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2013.