MOSCOW, 27 November 2004 — Blonde teenage pin-up Tatiana Golovin hopes to crown a first ever return to her native Russia by leading France to victory over the hosts in the Fed Cup final today and tomorrow.
The 16-year-old Golovin, who left Russia with her family when she was a baby, has enjoyed a successful return so far after being called in by French skipper Guy Forget following the late withdrawals of Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce.
In the 5-0 semifinal walloping of Spain, the teenager won both her singles comfortably although she will face a much stiffer task against a Russian side boasting French Open winner Anastasia Myskina and US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.
“I haven’t been here for 16 years so for me this is a new country,” said Golovin who will celebrate her 17th birthday on Jan. 25.
She left Moscow in 1986 at the age of just six months when her father, an ice hockey coach, found work in France. Like many before her, she then honed her tennis skills at the Bolletieri academy in Florida.
“It is a little ironic to think that my first participation in the Fed Cup is taking place in Russia but I don’t think too much about it.
“I was never really attracted to the idea of returning to Russia before,” said Golovin.
Golovin now wants to help France to defend the Fed Cup title and put a gloss finish on a remarkable year.
She has reached 27 in the world, made her first tour final in Birmingham and teamed up with countryman Richard Gasquet to win the mixed doubles at the French Open.
“We did the job and won the matches against Spain,” said Golovin who saw off Marta Marrero 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to add to her 6-3, 6-3 win against Anabel Medina the day before.
“It was hard to play against Marrero because we had already won the semifinal and now we will get ready for Russia.”
