None of Italy's top four players — Sara Errani, Flavia Pennetta, Roberta Vinci and Francesca Schiavone — will face the United States in the Fed Cup first round in Cleveland, Feb. 8-9. The Italian Tennis Federation has announced its team, which includes Karin Knapp, Camila Giorgi, Nastassja Burnett and Alice Matteucci. Italy is the defending Fed Cup champion.
The United States has yet to name its squad but TENNIS.com has learned that teenager Madison Keys has accepted an invitation to play. Serena Williams, Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams are all considered questionable because they are nursing injuries and are entered in the WTA Premier event in Doha, which begins the week after Fed Cup. Bethanie Mattek-Sands has declined an invitation to play. U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez has other options that include Alison Riske, Christina McHale, Lauren Davis, Varvara Lepchenko and Liezel Huber.