LAHAINA, February 13, 2017

The United States have reached their first Fed Cup by BNP Paribas semi-final since 2010 with a 4-0 victory over Germany at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Maui, Hawaii.

The day started in a bad way for the Germans, as Julia Görges, who was a set and 3-1 down to Coco Vandeweghe overnight, was forced to retire with a knee injury she sustained when slipping on Saturday. That meant the United States have gone 2-0 up before a ball was hit in anger on Sunday.

Germany’s number one player Andrea Petkovic was a set and a break up in the following first reverse singles rubber against Coco Vanderweghe but eventually the World No. 20 sealed victory for the United States, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.

“I’m extremely proud of every player here. It’s just been an incredible week. I knew these girls were going to leave it out on the court, because when I called them they were quick to say they wanted to play,” US-captain Kathy Rinaldi-Stunke said. 

“It was probably the worst Fed Cup on the most beautiful island,” said Barbara Rittner, the German captain. “We didn’t take our chances. That’s how it is.”