Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/117483
DEAD RUBBER CHANGES The Slovak team celebrate reaching their first World Group semifinal since 2002 Romina Oprandi enjoyed a dream debut for Switzerland Julia Goerges propelled Germany back into the World Group Play-offs Ayumi Morita starred for Japan with two singles wins The ITF has revised the dead rubber policy for all Fed Cup ties in 2013 and beyond. The changes, which came into effect for the World Group and World Group II first round ties on 9-10 February, state that if a tie is decided after the third singles rubber, the fourth singles rubber will not be played and the dead doubles rubber will be played instead. However if the tie is decided after the fourth singles match ��� if one nation has a winning 3-1 lead ��� the dead doubles rubber will still be played but with a match tiebreak replacing the third set. ���This is part of the ITF���s continued effort to make Fed Cup more player friendly, while maintaining a good spectator experience on the Sunday,��� said ITF Executive Vice President Juan Margets. Ekaterina Makarova rejoices after Russia fends off Japan in the decisive fifth doubles rubber new records set Roberta Vinci extended her record for the most doubles rubbers without defeat to 18-0. Vinci also holds the record for the most years played for Italy in Fed Cup at 12. Galina Voskoboeva became Kazakhstan���s best Fed Cup player after increasing her total win-loss record to 18-6 to help Kazakhstan into the World Group II play-offs. Fans found new ways to visit the website with a 19% increase in visits to FedCup.com from mobile devices. The Spanish website, FedCup.com/es, marked Conchita Martinez���s first tie as captain with a 342% increase in unique visitors compared to last year���s first round weekend. Johanna Larsson plays her part as Sweden overcomes a 2-0 deficit to defeat Argentina at Parque Roca