Italy, Czech Republic, Germany and Australia advance to semi finals

(Rank)

Defending champions, Italy defeated the USA 3-1 on indoor hard courts in Cleveland. The USA didn't have (1) Serena Williams, (18) Stephens or veteran Venus Williams, whilst the Italians went without (7) Errani or (14) Vinci. Knapp beat McHale 63 36 61 and Riske 63 75, whilst Giorgi beat Keys 62 61. 

The Czech Republic battled past Spain 3-2 on red clay in Seville. Without (6) Kvitova, the Czech's were always up against it with (17) Suarez Navarro beating both Zahlavova Strycova 61 64 and Zakopalova 16 63 63. However, Zakopalova fought past Torro Flor 63 26 61 and Safarova edged Soler Espinosa 46 61 63 to take it to a deciding doubles rubber, which Hlvackova and Zahlavova Strycova won over Suarez Navarro and Soler Espinosa 76(7) 63.

The German's reached their first Fed Cup semi final since 1995, beating Slovakia 3-1 on indoor hard courts in Bratislava. (9) Kerber saved two set points in the tiebreaker to beat Hantuchova 76(7) 61 and battled past Australian Open finalist, (14) Cibulkova 63 76(5), whilst former top tenner Petkovic saved a match point against Cibulkova to win 26 76(6) 62.

Australia thrashed a depleted Russian side on hard courts in Hobart 4-0 to reach their first semi final since 1993! Without (5) Sharapova, Russia was always going to struggle and (16) Stosur crushed Kudermetova 64 60 and Kan 62 63, whilst recently improved Dellacqua beat Khromacheva 60 62.

In World Group II, (4) Radwanska and (19) Bouchard were unbeaten in their teams successes to reach the World Group Play Offs. Poland beat Sweden 3-2 on indoor hard courts in Boras, whilst Canada beat Serbia, minus (8) Jankovic and (12) Ivanovic 3-1 on indoor hard courts in Montreal. France and Argentina also won.

The only other top tenner in action was (10) Halep, who was competing on indoor hard courts in Budapest as part of Europe/Africa Zone Group 1. Romania reached the World Group II Play Offs with a 2-0 win over Ukraine. Halep won 2 out of the 3 matches she played during the week, surprisingly losing to Hungary's Babos 16 75 63!