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American Alison Riske, ranked No. 40 in the world, faces No. 51 Andrea Petkovic of Germany in today’s 10 a.m. opener of the U.S. vs. Germany Fed Cup World Group first round tie at the Royal Lahaina Resort tennis stadium on Maui.
In today’s second match, the U.S. top-ranked player Coco Vandewegh faces Germany’s Julia Goerges. Sunday’s reverse singles play — with Riske against Goerges and Vandewegh against Petkovic — begins at 10 a.m. Doubles competition follows with Vandeweghe teaming with Bethanie Mattek-Sands to take on Laura Siegemund and Carina Witthoeft.
Kathy Rinaldi is making her Fed Cup captain debut. She currently serves as Team USA lead national coach.
This weekend’s winner advances to face either the Czech Republic or Spain in the World Group Semifinals, held April 22-23, for a chance to compete for the 2017 Fed Cup title. The losing nation will compete in the World Group Playoffs in April to remain in the World Group for 2018.
The U.S. will be competing in the World Group for the first time since 2014. Tickets are available online at www.usta.com/fedcup or by calling 888-334-USTA (8782).
BYU-Hawaii softball drops doubleheader
The BYU-Hawaii softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader Friday against Simon Fraser at Laie.
In the first game, Lizabelle Talataina batted 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs for the Seasiders in a 10-4 defeat. Hailey Gearey had four hits for the Clan.
In the second game, Sarah Captain had two hits for BYUH in an 8-1 loss. Alia Stachoski pitched a six-hitter for Simon Fraser, which scored a combined seven runs over the sixth and seventh innings.
The Clan improved to 2-0, while the Seasiders fell to 0-4.