ITF

ITF CIRCUITS AND PROFESSIONAL TENNIS EVENTS • FED CUP BY BNP PARIBAS I 11 Sharapova produced a scintillating performance against Kvitova in the fi rst of the reverse singles rubbers. The clash was arguably one of the best Fed Cup matches in recent memory and the Russian's triumph had many believing that this might be the year that Sharapova would fi nally lay her hands on the Fed Cup trophy. Instead Czech Republic maintained its tight grip on the silverware to which it has become so accustomed in recent years. Other nations to excel in 2015 included Netherlands and Romania, who both continued their sensational winning streaks that has seen them rise from Europe/Africa Zone Group I in 2014 to World Group status in 2016. Switzerland also fought its way into the World Group after a thrilling victory over Poland in the play-offs, while Italy infl icted Serena Williams' fi rst-ever Fed Cup loss to send USA down to World Group II. A total of 357 players from 90 nations contested Fed Cup in 2015 with the Final attracting a capacity crowd of 10,850 on each of the two days in Prague. This brought the total attendance for Fed Cup in 2015 to over 145,000 spectators – the highest on record. The competition was played in 20 countries in 2015, with a total of 19 home-and-away ties and seven group events held in the World Group, World Group II and three regional zones: Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa. Twenty-seven of the world's Top 30 players took part in 2015, while it was another successful year for the competition on television with 41 broadcasters in 139 territories showing Fed Cup. The Fed Cup websites in English and Spanish showed signifi cant growth in 2015, with more than 900,000 unique visitors and over 8.5 million page views achieved by the end of the year. The 2015 Final saw a record website audience and the social media properties in English, Spanish and Chinese grew by 60 per cent. Six players received Fed Cup Heart Awards as Irina-Camelia Begu, Cagla Buyukakcay, Veronica Cepede Royg, Flavia Pennetta, Lucie Safarova and Tamarine Tanasugarn were rewarded for showing exceptional courage on court and demonstrating outstanding commitment to the team. Petr Pala, who has captained Czech Republic to win the Fed Cup four times, was also recognised, receiving the Fed Cup Award of Excellence from the ITF and The International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum. The competition continued to receive strong support from its title sponsor BNP Paribas, international sponsors Adecco and Betway, and offi cial media rights partner beIN SPORTS.

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