Fed Cup Ulcinj: Moldova pip Madagascar and Cyprus to play-off spot

Moldova claimed the final promotion play-off spot at the Fed Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group III event in Ulcinj, after Pool C went down to the wire.

The Moldovans will take on Luxembourg on Saturday, while FYR Macedonia face Norway, with the prize of a spot in Zone Group II for 2017 on offer.

Pool C could hardly have been tighter, with Moldova eventually progressing thanks to a superior sets-won percentage after Madagascar and Cyprus finished level with Moldova on two ties won and one lost this week.

Moldova knew that only a win would suffice today, and got off to the perfect start when Adriana Sosnovschi comfortably beat Cypriot No. 2 Maria Siopacha 61 63.But Eliza Omirou gave Cyprus hope with an excellent three-set victory against Daniela Ciobanu, winning 76(4) 46 63 in two hours and 51 minutes.

Captain Andrei Andreev elected to bring in fresh legs for Moldova in the deciding rubber, Vitalia Stamat playing alongside Sosnovschi – and it proved to be an inspired decision, with the Moldovan pair defeating Omirou and Siopacha 64 76(2) to claim an excellent victory for the team.

Madagascar’s players will count themselves unlucky, having defeated Moldova earlier in the week. Zarah Razafimahatratra and Seheno Razafindramaso ensured that they were in with a fighting chance today, both winning singles matches against their Algerian opponents before claiming the doubles in a third-set tiebreak.

Unfortunately for them, sets dropped this week ultimately cost them, Moldova’s superior overall record seeing them narrowly ahead of Madagascar in the final standings.

In the day’s other matches, both Norway and Luxembourg warmed up for the play-offs with wins over Mozambique and Malta respectively, while elsewhere Morocco defeated Kosovo and Greece beat Tunisia.

Click here for more information about Europe/Africa Zone Group III.