U.S. Fed Cup team announced

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Captain Mary Jo Fernandez included 17-year-old Melanie Oudin when she announced the United States Fed Cup team for the match against Argentina next month.

Other members of the squad announced Wednesday are 38th-ranked Bethanie Mattek, 34-year-old Jill Craybas and 32-year-old Liezel Huber. Mattek, 23, and Oudin are first-time picks.

Notably absent are the Williams' sisters -- Serena and Venus -- longtime choices.

"I am really excited about the team we are bringing to Surprise (Ariz.) to begin our pursuit of the 2009 Fed Cup title," Fernandez said without mentioning the sisters. "We have a great mix of experience with Jill and Liezel, and youth with Bethanie and Melanie. We anticipate a competitive match against Argentina with an enthusiastic and passionate home crowd supporting us."

The Argentina-U.S. battle runs Feb. 7-8 at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex.

The Fed Cup is the world's largest annual international women's team competition, with 85 countries competing. The U.S. leads all nations with 17 titles.