Weakened U.S. face Fed Cup semi struggle

MOSCOW, Russia (AP) -- With her three best players missing, United States Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison is looking at the semifinal against Russia as a test.

The Americans, who have won a record 17 Fed Cup titles, will be missing Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport when they face the defending champions on indoor clay at Moscow's Luzhniki arena.

Teenage amateur Madison Brengle, former South African player Liezel Huber, Vania King and Ahsha Rolle will be representing the United States in the best-of-five series that starts Saturday.

"My expectations are actually that we go out on the court and compete," Garrison said Wednesday. "At least they'll have the opportunity of being around and play the Fed Cup."

King, Rolle and Brengle are outside the top 100 in the WTA rankings, and Rolle and Brengle are making their Fed Cup debuts.

Huber, however, is a top-ranked doubles player who has competed for South Africa but is playing for the U.S. for the first time.

"I think the USTA does a great job of trying to bring young and future Fed Cuppers," Garrison said. "We thought that this would be a good time to bring the players that should be coming up from the developmental stages. If we were ever going to do it, this would be the proper time to do it."

Venus Williams is skipping the event because of injuries, while her sister Serena had earlier said she would pull out. Veteran Davenport withdrew from the recent tournament in Amelia Island, Florida, because of the illness.

Russia, trying to win a fourth title in five years, will have 2004 U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, world No. 7 Anna Chakvetadze, No. 14 Vera Zvonareva and 44th-ranked Elena Vesnina.

Russia will be missing Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova, who is skipping the series as part of what Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev has said was an agreement with Kuznetsova.

"I was sure the Williams sisters would not play," Tarpishchev said. "They have the same schedule as Sharapova has, but the absence of Davenport was a surprise."

Zvonareva, who lost to Serena Williams in Family Circle Cup final last Sunday, is replacing Dinara Safina, who is sidelined with a knee injury.

"We are favorites in this tie and all will depend on our game," Tarpishchev said. "It's one of those rare cases when not we but our opponents are to adapt to us."

The draw is scheduled for Friday, and Garrison said King and Rolle were most likely to play in Saturday's singles. The reverse singles and doubles are scheduled for Sunday.

Despite Russia's status as favorite, Tarpishchev warned his players against overconfidence.

"It's the most dangerous thing in sports -- to relax and underestimate your opponent," Tarpishchev said.

"Team competition differs from a tournament. A young player cannot play his best tennis during the whole week but he can do his best in one single match."

The United States last won the Fed Cup title in 2000, while the Russians won in 2004, '05, and '07. E-mail to a friend

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