Tennis: Eilat chosen as host of 2016 Fed Cup event

Great Britain, Croatia and Belgium are among the 14 teams that will play in Eilat next year for two places in the playoffs.

By ALLON SINAI
Updated: SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 00:36
Julia Glushko broke Caroline Wozniacki’s serve twice during yesterday’s first-round match at the Auckland Classic in New Zealand, (photo credit: NIR KEIDAR/ISRAEL TENNIS ASSOCIATION)
Julia Glushko broke Caroline Wozniacki’s serve twice during yesterday’s first-round match at the Auckland Classic in New Zealand,
(photo credit: NIR KEIDAR/ISRAEL TENNIS ASSOCIATION)
Israel’s hopes of returning to the Fed Cup World Group II playoffs were handed a boost on Saturday after Eilat was announced as the host of next year’s Europe/Africa Zone Group I matches.
Eilat also hosted the tournament between 2011 and 2013, and after two years in Budapest, the event will return to Israel’s southernmost city next February.
Israel last played in the World Group II playoffs in 2009.
Great Britain, Croatia and Belgium are among the 14 teams that will play in Eilat next year for two places in the playoffs.
“Hosting the tournament will allow our young players to see top players up-close,” said Israel Tennis Association chairman Asi Tuchmayer.
Meanwhile, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stayed strong on serve to set up an all-French final against Gilles Simon in Metz when he beat German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday. Earlier, Simon recovered from a second-set lapse to beat Slovakian sixth seed Martin Klizan 6-4, 6-4.