Looking ahead

U.S. Fed Cup squad knows semifinal with Belgium possible

Clijsters won't commit for quarters BREE, Belgium, April 27 (Reuters) -- Kim Clijsters engineered Belgium's 5-0 Fed Cup first-round whitewash of Austria by winning all three of her matches but on Sunday refused to commit herself for her country's quarterfinal against Slovakia in July. Scheduled to play a WTA event in Stanford the week after the Slovakia clash, the world No. 2 was worried the long journey could hamper her chances of victory in the Californian event. "I'm not sure if I'll play," Clijsters said. "I don't like the idea of all that traveling and the jet lag. I'm still not sure." Clijsters refused to disclose any further details. But if she decided to skip the tie, it would put a huge burden on Justine Henin-Hardenne to pull off a win against the Daniela Hantuchova-led Slovakia. Last year, the 2001 champions went out to Italy in the quarterfinals after both Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne chose to concentrate on their WTA Tour commitments. But Belgian No. 2 Henin-Hardenne confirmed she would definitely play in the July tie. "I think last year I tried something different -- to play at Stanford -- and it didn't work. But that's not why I'm playing Fed Cup," Henin-Hardenne said. "I said last year I would be coming back, and it's because I realize that Fed Cup is important for me. I enjoy playing in a team situation and it is good for my game." "It has to be a personal choice. Everyone has their own personal feelings and she's [Clijsters] got to make her choice about what's best and how it fits in."

LOWELL, Massachusetts, April 27 (Reuters) -- Not satisfied with leading the U.S. to a 5-0 wipeout of the Czech Republic in the first round of Fed Cup on Sunday, Venus and Serena Williams were already looking ahead to a potential semifinal showdown with 2001 champions Belgium.

With Kim Clijsters and Justine-Henin-Hardenne expected to spearhead the Belgian challenge, the Williamses were keen to renew their singles rivalry with the leading European players in the team competition.

"Against a team like Belgium, you have to really focus because you realize they are extremely good players at the top of the game," said world No. 3 Venus, who defeated Henin-Hardenne in the semifinals of the Australian Open in January.

"I've played Kim and Justine lots and lots of times, so at least I'll be ready."

Serena, who defeated Clijsters in a three-set semifinal at Melbourne Park in the year's first Grand Slam event, said the potential contest would whet her appetite.

But she warned the U.S. would first have to focus on defeating Italy in the quarterfinals.

After defeating Austria 5-0, Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne said that should they get by Slovakia, they would look forward to playing the U.S.

"It is perhaps a little early, but it would be a great match," Clijsters said.

"I'm sure Justine and I will be very motivated for that one."

Henin-Hardenne, the only player to beat Serena in 2003, said she relishes challenges like playing the Williams sisters.

"Serena and Venus are a very good team of course, but it is great for Belgium to have two top players and a great team. And I think we have a great chance."

The U.S. will face Italy at home in July. Neither Venus nor Serena has definitely committed to the tie, but both said that they would like to play.

"I'm really anticipating it," said Venus, who is the defending champion at the WTA event at Stanford, which begins the day after Fed Cup ends.

"I'm trying to put it on my schedule. I really want to be there."

Serena said that she cherished the memory of her first Fed Cup tie against Italy in Ancona in 1999 and would like to play again.

"I would love to play against Italy," said Serena, who trounced Rita Grande 6-1, 6-1 in 1999.

"The last time, I was only supposed to play doubles but Monica [Seles] got injured and I was able to play singles. I was so happy because I said, 'I'm really going to show them what I'm made of.' I played a unbelievable match that day."

 

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