February 2, 2011 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Credit: Photodisc
Kim Clijsters will lead a strong Belgian squad against an injury-depleted United States team in the Fed Cup this weekend. Belgium would have been an overwhelming favorite to reach the quarterfinals, but the sudden retirement of Justine Henin last week leaves this matchup slightly more even, as they face an U.S. team that has reached the last two finals despite being without the injured Williams sisters.
Clijsters, who beat Li Na for her fourth Grand Slam title last weekend, said Wednesday she still lacked sleep after her long trip home from the 2011 Australian Open in Melbourne. However, she expects to be ready to play the opening singles Saturday on an indoor hard court.
Based on ranking, Americans number 48th-ranked Bethanie Mattek-Sands and number 61 Melanie Oudin should be no match for number two Clijsters and number 26 Yanina Wickmayer of Begium. But the U.S. record in recent years shows the Americans haven’t needed the Williams sisters to advance. The U.S. team also includes Vania King and doubles specialist Liezel Huber.
Clijsters is thriving in just about every situation these days. She made the final in Sydney before winning her first Australian Open crown, which puts her within reach of regaining the number one ranking.
After two singles on Saturday, there’s reverse singles and a possible deciding doubles on Sunday.
The U.S. hasn’t won the Cup since 2000, a 5-0 win over Spain.
