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Germany replaces USA in Fed Cup
LONDON (AP) — The International Tennis Federation
picked Germany Monday to replace the United States in next week's Fed Cup final
in Madrid, Spain.
The two-time defending champion Americans, citing security
risks, withdrew last week from the top team event in women's tennis.
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France,
Russia and Spain complete the eight-team field for the Nov. 7-11 competition.
The ITF selected Germany to replace the United States because
it has the highest ranking of the four teams which lost Fed Cup playoff ties.
The others were Slovakia, Italy and Switzerland.
Seven teams named their players Monday, while Germany was
given until Nov. 1 to name its team.
The absence of the Americans leaves the event without five
of the top 10 players in the world: Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Venus
Williams, Monica Seles and Serena Williams.
The only other notable absentee was Anna Kournikova, whom
Russian left off its team.
Elena Dementieva, Elena Likhovtseva, Nadia Petrova and
Elena Bovina make up the Russian team. Other top players include Amelie Mauresmo
of France, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin of Belgium and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario
and Conchita Martinez of Spain.
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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