SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 20 (UPI) -- After losing to Austria in the opening round of the 2002 Fed Cup, the United States took the lead over Israel Saturday in qualifying for the 2003 World Group.
It is only the second time in history the Americans have had to qualify.
Lindsay Davenport did her part to help, returning from a knee injury that has sidelined her since November to defeat Anna Smashnova, 6-3, 6-3, in Saturday's first singles match.
Fed Cup star Monica Seles followed with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Izipora Obziler to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five tie.
The two will play in reverse singles Sunday and Meghann Shaughnessy and Lisa Raymond will team up in doubles against Hila Rosen and Shahar Peer.
The winners in the playoffs earn berths in the 2003 Fed Cup world group while the losers compete in their respective zonal qualifying groups.
Fed Cup coach Billie Jean King kicked Jennifer Capriati off the U.S. team in April after Capriati refused to follow the practice regimen and the Americans ended up losing to Austria.
