Team USA Names Fed Cup Squad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The USTA and U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez announced on Wednesday that 2009 US Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin and World No. 1 doubles player Liezel Huber will lead the U.S. as it faces France in the 2010 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Quarterfinal.

Oudin and Huber, both members of the 2009 team that reached the Fed Cup final for the first time since 2003, will be joined by Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who helped defeat the Czech Republic in the 2009 Fed Cup semifinal, and Shenay Perry.

The quarterfinal tie will be contested on a red clay court at the Stade Couvert Regional Lievin in Lievin, France, on February 6-7.

The best-of-five match series begins on Saturday, February 6 with two singles matches and is followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday, February 7. Tennis Channel will present daily live coverage beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET on Saturday and 8:00 a.m. ET on Sunday.

“After reaching the Fed Cup final in 2009, I know the team is committed to working hard again this year, starting next weekend in France,” said U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez.

“Liezel is unquestionably our team leader and proves that on and off the court. I’m happy to bring back Melanie, whose toughness and fortitude are important attributes when playing in the Fed Cup competition. Bethanie is a great team player and really came through for the team in the semifinal match in the Czech Republic, and I am excited to have Shenay who is very talented and has prior Fed Cup experience. I am proud of our team for making the final last year, and I look forward to a strong campaign in 2010.”

The U.S. is 10-1 all-time against France in Fed Cup competition, but lost the last meeting between the two countries in the 2003 Fed Cup final. Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce combined to sweep the first three singles matches over Lisa Raymond and Meghann Shaughnessy to give France just its second Fed Cup title.

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the world’s largest annual international women’s team competition with 87 countries competing this year. The United States leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles – the last coming in 2000 – and is one of eight nations which will compete for the 2010 Fed Cup title as part of the Fed Cup World Group.