Summary Vandeweghe will lead the 17-time champion United States against Germany in Fed Cup quarter-final
Los Angeles (AFP) - Shock Australian Open semi-finalist Coco Vandeweghe will lead the 17-time champion United States against Germany in a Fed Cup quarter-final showdown starting Saturday in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Vandeweghe, ranked 20th, will face 57th-rated Julia Goerges in the second singles match Saturday after American Alison Riske, ranked 40th, faces 51st-ranked Andrea Petkovic in the tie opener.
Sunday features the reverse singles matches followed by world doubles number one Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Vandeweghe facing Germany s Laura Sigemund and Carina Witthoeft in what could be a decisive doubles matchup.
Rain is in the Maui forecast but organizers are optimistic about completing the tie, the first for new US Fed Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi.
"It s very relaxing here. We re all working hard. We re enjoying ourselves," she said. "Obviously we have tough opponents in Germany. They have a strong team."
The winner will face either Spain or the Czech Republic in the semi-finals on April 22-23 for a chance to compete for the 2017 Fed Cup title, while the loser competes in April s World Group playoffs to keep a spot in the trophy hunt for 2018.
