Serena Williams to play for USA at the Fed Cup – Tennis News
Top American, Serena Williams, will be a part of USA’s team for the Fed Cup tie against Ukraine on 21st and 22nd April.
American Fed Cup team’s captain, Mary Joe Fernandez, made announcement of Serena’s availability, which gave a huge boost to the preparations for the competition.
The 13-time Grand Slam champion has never remained a permanent member of the US team, as she often stayed sidelined from the sport due to injury or kept concentrating on her individual events at the WTA Tour.
Serena made her Fed Cup debut in 1999 but has played in a total of just five ties to this date. The American has never lost a singles match, while playing for her country, winning all of the six singles and three doubles matches.
She was member of the side which thrashed Belarus in the first round tie of the World Group II in this February, winning both of her singles matches.
Fernandez said, “She really did want to play last year and unfortunately she couldn’t play at all most of the season. Obviously it’s a big bonus to have someone like Serena there, not only in terms of your chances increase tremendously,
but the effect she has on the rest of the team, what she brings to the table with motivation, the work ethic, how she talks to the players.”
Serena has gained supreme form recently, crushing her opponents on her way to the Family Circle Cut title in Charleston. The American hammered world number five, Samantha Stosur of Australia, in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 in the semi-final.
Serena humiliated 26th ranked, Lucie Safarova, as she allowed the Czech to win only one game, beating her 6-0, 6-1 in the title match.
However, Venus has decided to stay away from Fed Cup this time, as she is conserving her energy for the coming tournaments on the WTA Tour. She also played against Ukraine but did not contest in the singles category, partnering
Liezel Huber to win the doubles match.
Fernandez added, about Venus, "She just played Miami and Charleston, so she's trying to gauge now her recovery, how much she can play. She's, I believe, planning on playing a couple of tournaments now before the French Open."
Serena will be joined by Christina McHale (World number 35), Liezel Huber (Doubles specialist), Sloane Stephens and Jamie Hampton to complete the US team.
Ukraine has not announced its team yet. They were beaten 2-3 by Italy in the first round of the World Group in February.
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