Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/315708
24 ITFWORLD SPRING 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas action in April also saw 16 nations take part in World Group play-off and World Group II play-off ties. The losers from February's World Group first round — Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain and USA — took part in the World Group play-offs in a bid to retain their status among the eight-nation elite for the 2015 competition. They faced the winners of 2014 World Group II, respectively Argentina, Canada, Poland and France. Of this year's first round losers, only four-time champion Russia was successful in keeping its World Group place for next year, defeating Argentina 4-0 in Sochi. Agnieszka Radwanska and Eugenie Bouchard helped Poland and Canada break into the World Group for the first time, Poland defeating Spain 3-2 in Barcelona and Canada overcoming Slovak Republic 3-1 in Quebec City. France will return to the top tier after an absence of four year thanks to a narrow win over USA 3-2 in St. Louis. The 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group line-up is completed by Australia, Czech Republic, Germany and Italy. Romania headlined the World Group II play-offs, booking its spot in World Group II for the first time in history after defeating Serbia 4-1 in Bucharest. These play-offs, featuring World Group II losers and four winning nations from zonal competition, also saw Netherlands reach World Group II, returning to this level for the first time since 1999 with a 3-2 victory over Japan in Den Bosch. Sweden held onto its spot in World Group II by beating Thailand 4-0 in Lidkoping, as did Switzerland with a 4-1 win against Brazil in Catanduva. FED CUp BY BNp pARIBAS Belinda Bencic made her debut for Switzerland this year Agnieszka Radwanska is now 41-7 in Fed Cup The Canadians fl y the fl ag after securing a World Group place Johanna Larsson won her 40th Fed Cup match for Sweden It was an historic tie for Romania