Press releases

MINSK, 24 March (BelTA) – Belarusian tennis player Arina Sobolenko has been nominated for the Fed Cup Heart Award representing the World Group first round, BelTA has learned.

Arina Sobolenko had an impressive 2016 which saw her make a huge leap up the rankings from No. 548 to No. 159. She made her Fed Cup debut for Belarus in last year’s World Group play-off, playing in the dead doubles rubber. The 18-year-old was back in action in this year’s World Group first round, playing live rubbers. She lost an intense three-set match against World No.24 Kiki Bertens 6-3, 6-7, 4-6. The following day Arina Sobolenko earned a victory against Michaella Krajicek and sent Belarus into the Fed Cup semifinals for the first time in its history. In April Belarus will play against Switzerland at Chizhovka Arena.

Among Belarus’ future rivals there is also a nominee for the World Group Heart Award. World No.16 Timea Bacsinszky earned three victories in a tricky tie against France (4-1), including two singles and one doubles, teamed up with tennis legend Martina Hingis.

The World Group Heart Award nominees have also included Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.

Voting for the Heart Award opens on Friday, 24 March, on the Fed Cup website.