France prepare Pierce
Mary Pierce could step in for France in their Fed Cup semi-final against Russia next month if Nathalie Dechy fails to recover from a wrist injury in time.
Captain Guy Forget told Reuters on Thursday that Dechy was still unable to practise and that he had talked to Pierce about her playing her first Fed Cup match since 1997 alongside Amelie Mauresmo.
"If she (Dechy) opts out, it would be preferable to have Mary Pierce. At Wimbledon I saw her win some good matches even though she was far from fit," Forget said.
"Since then she has become much fitter. I have talked to her on the phone and she is very keen to rejoin the team.
"That would be a plus -- it would be good to have a sort of 'joker', someone who is capable of scaring any woman in the top 20."
Russia are favourites to win the semi-final with four players in the top 20, all below seventh-ranked Mauresmo.
A former Australian Open and French Open champion, Pierce reached the fourth round at Wimbledon this year before being beaten by third seed Justine Henin-Hardenne.
She also reached the fourth round at the U.S. Open where she lost to Russian Anastasia Myskina.
Belgium play the United States in the other Fed Cup semifinal on November 19 and 20 in Russia but Henin-Hardenne has pulled out to make sure she is fit for next year.
World number one Kim Clijsters has also hinted she may not play after the International Tennis Federation awarded the semi-finals and final to Moscow.
Pierce last played for France in the 1997 final when they beat the Netherlands 4-1 in Den Bosch.
Reuters - 02/10/2003
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