Venus Leads US Quest for Fed Cup

The United States meets Belgium in the first round of play for the Fed Cup on April 21-22 in Florida at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. US Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison picked Venus Williams to lead the US against Belgium and hopes to persuade her sister (and Australian Open champion) Serena to join the team as well. Other possibles include Vania King, Ashley Harkleroad, and doubles expert Lisa Raymond.

The US may have an easy first round of it as neither of Belgium’s two top female players will be able to make this year’s Fed Cup. Both world number two Justine Henin and world number four Kim Clijsters have pulled out of the competition; each blames a heavy schedule for her withdrawal. Belgium’s third best player, Kirsten Flipkens, is currently ranked 104th.