OSTEND, Belgium, July 15 (UPI) -- Team Belgium took a 2-0 lead over the United States Saturday with two victories in the semifinals of the Fed Cup in Ostend, Belgium.
Kirsten Flipkens downed American Jill Craybas, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, in the first match, and reigning U.S. Open Champion Kim Clijsters beat American Jamea Jackson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
With the pair of semifinal wins, Belgium is poised to beat Team USA for the first time ever in Fed Cup play, despite the withdrawal of French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne earlier in the week. Henin-Hardenne finished second at Wimbledon and said she was not "100 percent fit."
Clijsters plays Craybas on Sunday while Flipkens meets Jackson. Belgium needs just one win to reach the title match up in September.
Italy leads Spain 2-0 in Saturday's other semifinal action.
