Last update - 00:00 17/09/2006
Fed Cup team draws Canada
By Rami Hipsh
Israel will play Canada in the 2007 Fed Cup after Friday's World Group II draw in Belgium.
Canada, which was seeded in the draw after upsetting Argentina 3-2 in the World Group II playoffs in July, will host Israel next April 21-22 on Canadian soil. Team nominations, venue and court surface will be announced at a later date.
Israel advanced after Indonesia was handed a technical defeat for refusing to play its playoff at Ramat Hasharon.
"The draw is a reasonable one," said Israel captain Oded Ya'akov. "The Canadian team is made up of young players; we have a lot of time before the tie to get to know them. Once we know what surface we will be playing on we will be able to analyze the situation."
Canada and Israel have met only once in Fed Cup competition. During a 1972 World Group opening round tie held in Johannesburg, Canada defeated Israel 3-0.
Canada features Sharon Fichman, the 2005 Maccabiah champion. The 16-year-old was born in Israel, but immigrated to Canada at a young age. Also appearing for the 2006 Canadian team were Stephanie Dubois, Aleksandra Wozniak and Marie-Eve Pelletier.
The winning nations in the World Group II will secure places in the World Group playoffs, July 14-15, 2007, while the losing nations will compete in the World Group II playoff to remain in the group.