Americans host Italy in Fed Cup

WASHINGTON, July 18 (UPI) -- Playing without the Williams sisters, the United States will meet Italy Saturday in the Fed Cup quarterfinals.

Serena and Venus Williams led the Americans to a victory over the Czech Republic in a first-round Fed Cup tie in April. But Serena did not commit to the quarterfinals and Venus had to withdraw due to an abdominal injury. Monica Seles also had to withdraw because of a foot injury.

U.S. Fed Cup captain Billie Jean King named Chanda Rubin, the world's eighth-ranked player, and Alexandra Stevenson as the replacements. They join Meghann Shaughnessy and Lisa Raymond on the U.S. team.

In the other quarterfinals, Belgium will host Slovakia, Russia meets Slovenia and Spain plays France.