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Shelby Rogers makes U.S. Fed Cup team despite Taiwan loss

By The Sports Xchange
American Shelby Rogers reacts after a shot. Photo by David Silpa/UPI
American Shelby Rogers reacts after a shot. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

Shelby Rogers had an up-and-down Wednesday, losing to qualifier and world No. 181 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia 7-5, 6-2 in the Taiwan Open in Taipei City but later getting named to the United States Fed Cup team.

Rogers, 24, joins world No. 20 CoCo Vandeweghe, No. 38 Alison Riske and Australian Open doubles champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands on the squad that will face Germany in the first round Feb. 11-12 in Maui.

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"I can't be happier to have CoCo, Shelby, Ali and Bethanie on my team for my first Fed Cup," rookie U.S. Fed Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi said. "CoCo has entered the top 20 for the first time and had a fantastic Australian Open (making the semifinals).

"Shelby recently upset world No. 4 Simona Halep in Australia, and Ali had a top 10 win over Agnieszka Radwanska earlier this year, so both ladies are playing great tennis. It is also a huge advantage to have the top-ranked doubles player in the world with Bethanie."

In other second-round Taiwan action Wednesday, Czech wild-card entrant Lucie Safarova upset fourth-seeded Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-2, 6-4. In another upset, third-seeded Caroline Garcia of France fell 6-4, 6-4 to Mandy Minella of Luxembourg.

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Sixth-seeded Misaki Doi won a matchup of Japanese players, beating Risa Ozaki 6-4, 6-3.

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