Fed Cup semifinals to Vermont

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 15 (UPI) -- The Federation Cup semifinal between the United States and Russia in July will be played in Stowe, Vt., the U.S. Tennis Association said Tuesday.

The best-of-five event will be contested July 14-15 with the winner advancing to the Fed Cup title match against either France or Italy, who play their semifinal the same weekend in Italy.

The USTA said it will build a 3,000-seat venue next to an existing indoor tennis facility in Stowe for the Fed Cup matches.

"Stowe, Vt., is such a beautiful region of our country and we look forward to returning tennis to an area that has a proven commitment to the game," said U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison. "Our goal is to win the Fed Cup and we look forward to facing a competitive Russian team."

The United States owns a 4-1 advantage in head-to-head matches with the Russians, but Russia won the team's most recent meeting in the 2005 Fed Cup semifinals. The United States has won 17 Fed Cup titles, but hasn't finished first since 2000.