After the U.S. got through to the Fed Cup finals last weekend, beating the Czech Republic through the efforts of Fed Cup newbie Alexa Glatch and doubles veteran Liezel Huber, everyone wondered: would captain Mary Joe Fernandez get the big guns for the final against Italy? It was cute that some newspaper reports acted like it was up to the captain to choose between the scrappy, battle tested U.S. team and the WMDs that are Venus and Serena Williams (Williamses of Match Destruction?) Obviously, it’s up to the Williams sisters to give the nod either way.
And the Williams’ chins are signaling in the affirmative, if reports out of Rome (where the sisters are playing this week) can be trusted (via the Miami Herald):
“I would love to play in the final. Serena and I would both love to play,” Venus Williams said Sunday at the Italian Open, where both sisters are entered. “We talked about it, and we just have to stay healthy. I really hope we can both play. It will be great for the U.S.”
Italy is supposedly looking for molasses slow clay courts to blunt the Williams sisters’ stinging ground strokes – even considering outdoor venues in Sardinia or Sicily, despite the November date. But Venus is ready:
“I would love an island, but wherever you put me, I’ll go,” Venus said.
I think the match up of the Williams sisters against clay court warriors like Schiavone and Pennetta, in Italy, will make for an amazing Fed Cup final. I echo the Williams sisters when I say that I hope they stay healthy enough to make it.
I also hope that not one of us forgets how the likes of Melanie Oudin, Alexa Glatch, Julie Ditty and Liezel Huber got the U.S. to the final in the first place. Mary Joe Fernandez has done an amazing job with an underdog team and every player deserves the glory no matter who plays in the final against Italy.
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