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New names, old faces - the WTA is having the time of its life

© Michael Cecilio

Expectedly expected: the Dream Team's Fed Cup reign
Walking on the court was a mere formality. It was too obvious that the US team were going to win the Fed Cup over Russia in the final held at Stanford University. The fact that the Americans had the world's #2, #3, #4 and #5 players on their team (Davenport, Williamses and Seles) and the best that the Russians could muster was world #17 in Elena Likhovtseva was proof enough that the Americans were going to win, and in devastating fashion. The proof was in the pudding - the Americans were so good that Serena was relegated to doubles and Monica was relegated to the bench.

Not only was the victory expected, but the way in which the victory was attained was expected. Venus and Lindsay opened day one with two straight set victories over Elena Likhovtseva and Elena Dementieva respectively. Lindsay Davenport clinched the third point and the title by defeating Likhovtseva in the second day's first reverse singles match. Venus suffered a hiccup in her match versus Dementieva, as she blew a 4-1 lead in the third set and a match point to lose the match in a third set tiebreaker. Nevertheless, she came out afterwards with her sister and blitzed the Russians once again in the doubles.

There was just too much power in the American camp. Power in the rankings, power in the psychological battle for the opposing team and power in their tennis, both literally and figuratively. These girls make up four of the five dominating figures in women's tennis today, each possessing incredibly fierce and powerful baseline games which are yet to be matched on the tour today. Elena Likhovtseva said it best when she said that the Americans can beat any team 5-zip on any day.

Is there a team which can usurp the American's throne next year? You've got to like the Belgians' chances in Fed Cup, maybe not next year, but in the near future. They have the spearhead in van Roost, and a veteran in Appelmans, and two of the best young prospects in Henin and Clijsters. They can certainly become a force in Fed Cup over the next decade. If Hingis ever decides to return to Fed Cup and Schnyder gets out of her current funk, they are most certainly destined to win the title one year. In the short-term, you have to look at the French to pose the most problems for the Americans, as France is the only country to have five girls in the top 15 at the present moment. Things wouldn't look too good if Mary Pierce decided not to return to Fed Cup, but with or without Mary, there is amazing depth in French tennis, with the powerful Mauresmo and the veterans Halard-Decugis, Tauziat and Testud, who are ranked 9th, 11th and 13th respectively.

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