Slovak Daniela Hantuchova went into hostile territory and had one of the most impressive weekends of her long career, winning three matches for her country in Belgrade and leading it to a 3-2 victory over Serbia.
After easily besting Serbian Bojana Jovanovski on day one, Hantuchova overcame top Serbian Jelena Jankovic 7-6, 7-5 and then teamed with Magdalena Rybarikova in the fifth rubber to best Jankovic and Jovanovski 6-4, 6-3. The 18-year-old Jovanovski had taken out Rybarikova 6-1, 7-6 to even the tie at 2-2. The Slovaks are back in the World Group for the first time since 2004 after winning the title in 2002.
“We are overjoyed to have won this dramatic tie and with Dominika Cibulkova back, we will have three outstanding players and a real chance of going a long way next season because on our day we can beat any team from World Group I,” Slovakia’s captain Matej Liptak said.