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Venus, Serena Lead U.S. Fed Cup Charge
Posted on April 23, 2007
The women's international Fed Cup tennis competition has a chance to become relevant, at least for a weekend in July, if the stars come out when Russia will travel to face the U.S. in the semifinals.
The U.S. behind the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, swept past the star-less Belgium team 5-0, while Russia behind Nadia Petrova and Svetlana Kuznetsova blanked Spain 5-0.
Sunday turned into a worrisome situation for the Australian Open champion Serena Williams when the American pulled from the clinching singles match citing her chronic knee problem, putting American Vania King into the spotlight. Williams, who entered the Australian Open overweight and an underdog, appeared even heavier during the Davis Cup weekend, putting extra stress on her surgically-repaired knee.
"The whole atmosphere, clinching the tie was just a dream come true," said King, who came from a set down to defeat Kirsten Flipkens. "Before the match, I was really nervous. It's a different feeling when you?re not playing for yourself and playing for your country. It's not just about me anymore."
The other July semifinal will be France, who swept Japan 5-0, against Italy, who swept China 5-0. Italy will have the choice of ground against France.
The U.S. vs. France conflict is expected to feature the Williams sisters against Maria Sharapova and Petrova.
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