STUTTGART, April 12, 2017

Germany has announced its team for its Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-off tie with the Ukraine in Stuttgart on 22-23 April.

Angelique Kerber, Laura Siegemund, Julia Görges and Carina Witthöft will form Barbara Rittner’s side for the crunch clash, which takes place on indoor clay at the Porsche Arena.

“I am very happy that Angie returns to the team. Right after her announcement that she had to skip the tie in Hawaii, she assured me that she would be ready for this encounter. She is looking forward to the Fed Cup and will be our number one player against the Ukraine,” Rittner told on Wednesday.

Laura Siegemund, the current World No. 37, made it to the semi-finals at the WTA event in Charleston last week and will return to the German squad for the second time.

“She had to go through some difficult months but she is now back on track, finding her best form. She will be highly motivated, playing in front of her crowd in Stuttgart,” Rittner is confident. Siegemund had a fantastic run at the Porsche Arena last year, finishing runner-up at the WTA tournament in Stuttgart.

Ukraine’s team captain Mikhail Filima has named Elina Svitolina, Lesia Tsurenko, Olga Savchuk and Nadiia Kichenok 

Germany won the only previous meeting between the two nations in 2004, held on clay at the Elite Tennis Club in Illichevsk. Back then, Rittner was part of the active squad and won both of her singles rubbers as well as her doubles match alongside Jasmin Wöhr.

Germany were comfortably beaten in the World Group first round by the United States in Hawaii and will be looking for a quick response to that defeat to secure their position among the Fed Cup elite eight next year.

By contrast, the Ukraine teamed up with the same squad to seal a comprehensive 3-1 win over Australia at home in Kharkiv. They will now be keen to extend the momentum and reach the World Group for the third time.