WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 10 (UPI) -- Former world No. 1 Venus Williams has been named to the United States Fed Cup team that will face Italy in the quarterfinals in Washington July 19-20.
Williams has won 12 Grand Slam titles -- including four in singles -- and Olympic gold medals in both singles and doubles at the 2000 Games in Sydney. She had appeared in four straight major finals, losing to her sister Serena, before losing to Vera Zvonareva of Russia in the fourth round of the French Open last week.
The 22-year-old Williams teamed with her sister to help sweep the Czech Republic in the first round in April. She made the Fed Cup debut against Italy in the 1999 semifinals and helped the United States to victory against Russia in the final. She holds an 8-1 record in the competition, including a 3-0 mark against Italy.
The winner of the U.S.-Italy tie will advance to the four-team Fed Cup World Finals.
