Serena set for US Fed Cup opener

NEW YORK: Serena Williams has committed herself to playing for the United States against Belarus in a 2012 Fed Cup match on February 4-5 at Worcester, Massachusetts, the US Tennis Association said Tuesday.

Williams, a 13-time Grand Slam singles champion, could face World No. 4 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the World Group II matchup, in which the winner advances to world group playoffs for a chance to play for the trophy in 2013.

Neither Serena nor Venus Williams have competed in the Fed Cup since 2007. Both were injured and unable to play last November when the Americans lost to Italy in the 2010 Fed Cup Final.

The Americans, 35-4 all-time in Fed Cup ties on home soil, own a record 17 Fed Cup titles but have not lifted the trophy since 2000. They were relegated to second-tier status in 2012 after a 5-0 loss in April at Germany. (AFP)