Published Thu, Apr 15 10 12:13 AM
A spot on the United States Fed Cup squad was left open for Serena or Venus Williams by captain Mary Joe Fernandez on Wednesday as she named her team for a semi-final showdown against Russia.
With world number one Serena Williams and her sister Venus battling injuries, 18-year-old Melanie Oudin will lead the Americans into the April 24-25 tie in Birmingham, Alabama.
Also named to the U.S. squad were Bethanie Mattek-Sands and world's top ranked doubles player Liezel Huber.
"Melanie, Liezel and Bethanie are ready to represent the U.S. again and take on a formidable Russian team for the chance to return to the Fed Cup Final," Fernandez said in a statement.
"We are leaving the fourth spot open in case Venus or Serena is healthy enough to compete.
"The plan is to give them as much time as possible and we hope to make a decision early next week."
Serena, slowed by knee problems, has not been back on court since beating Justine Henin in the Australian Open final in January while Venus has not played since losing to Kim Clijsters in Miami earlier this month.
Oudin, who shot up the standings in 2009 after a breakthrough year, is currently ranked a career-high number 36.
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