Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Vania King replaces Williams on U.S. Fed Cup team

Venus Williams was supposed to participate in Fed Cup play next month, but her Australian Open injury has precluded that. USA captain Mary Joe Fernandez announced today that Wimbledon and U.S. Open doubles champion Vania King would be added to the team. King will join Melanie Oudin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Liezel Huber. This means that team USA has three highly accomplished doubles players available for the first 2011 competition, in which the USA will play Belgium.

The World Group quarterfinal will take place February 5 and 6 on a hard court in Antwerp. The winner will play either the Slovak Republic or the Czech Republic in the semifinals. Defending champion Italy will play Australia. The Australian team will consist of Sam Stosur, Jarmila Groth, Anastasia Rodionova, and Rennae Stubbs. Stubbs is expected to retire from professional tennis at the conclusion of the quarterfinal.

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