USA Focus on Job in Hand
Chanda Rubin is the eighth-ranked singles player in the world, in the
world’s top ten for the first time since October 1996. Lisa Raymond
is as accomplished a doubles player as there is with 39 career titles,
including three Grand Slams. Yet, the shadow of those not in Washington,
D.C. for this weekend’s United States-Italy Fed Cup quarterfinal looms
large.
Neither Venus nor Serena Williams, who carried the US to a 5-0 first round
romp over the Czech Republic in April, will be in red, white and blue at
the William H.G. FitzGerald Center. Neither will world #5 Lindsay Davenport,
#7 Jennifer Capriati or Fed Cup veteran Monica Seles.
"If I were the players, I wouldn’t appreciate it," US captain Billie
Jean King said of the misplaced attention, "because these are the ones
that came here this week, worked hard and are really committed to winning."
Venus pulled out almost immediately after Wimbledon after aggravating an
abdominal pull. Sister Serena, who turned down an invitation originally,
could not replace Venus because of personal obligations, which included an
acting job and a trip to an awards show. Seles stepped in, but then withdrew
because of the ailing foot that has plagued her season. Capriati remains
out of the mix because of her very public spat with captain Billie Jean King
during last year’s Fed Cup. Davenport never received an invite, even before
the injuries, etc., because she could not report here when required. She
wanted to spend time with her mother, who recently underwent surgery.
King wants all eyes fixed on who stood at the foot of the US Capitol Building
for Friday afternoon’s draw, especially Rubin.
"The media hasn’t even noticed how she’s gone from nothing to number
eight. She’s back in the top ten again," King said.
"She’s got a great forehand. She’s very competent off every shot, and she's
quick, and she’s very thoughtful, and she can develop points."
"It’s…a great help, I think," said Italian captain Corrado Barazzutti
about the absences, a smile growing across his face.
"[But] this is a great…a great team. It’s difficult for us anyway."
Even without the aforementioned women, the US players all outrank the
Italian contingent, not to mention America’s 8-0 mark all-time against
Italy in Fed Cup play and the absence of world #20 Silvia Farina Elia.
She will not play because of a right foot injury, leaving #32 Francesca
Schiavone to lead the squad. She comes into the weekend on the heels of
her best Wimbledon showing (third round) and a quarterfinal appearance
at Palermo. Schiavone opens the tie against Meghann Shaughnessy.
"We are very happy because Francesca wanted to play this first match,"
said Rita Grande. "So we are very lucky to win this toss."
Shaughnessy, who has had an inconsistent 2003, earned her only WTA title
this year at Canberra in January with a 61 61 win over Schiavone.
Rubin and Grande will play the second singles match Saturday, while the
doubles are scheduled for Tathiana Garbin/Antonella Serra Zanetti –
Rubin/Lisa Raymond.
Rain should not be a factor at this outdoor, hardcourt event, but heat
indices over 90?F will cause problems.
The full draw is as follows:
Saturday
Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) v Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
Chanda Rubin (USA) v Rita Grande (USA)
Sunday
Chanda Rubin (USA) v Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) v Rita Grande (ITA)
Lisa Raymond/Chanda Rubin (USA) v
Tathiana Garbin/Antonella Serra Zanetti (ITA)
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