Rookie Glatch braced for Williams Fed Cup battle

American rookie Alexa Glatch is prepared to face the full force of the mighty Williams sisters to ensure she is not jettisoned from the US team to face Italy in the Fed Cup final.

With the Grand Slam-winning sisters opting not to play the semi-finals in April this year, Glatch was called-up and the Californian responded with a stunning debut, winning both her singles matches to push the US towards a 3-2 semi-final win over the Czech Republic.

But now team captain Mary Jo Fernandez faces a tough decision over whether to keep faith with the 19-year-old Glatch, who is ranked 116 in the world, or turn to the famous siblings.

Glatch made her case for inclusion when she defeated Italian number one Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 6-1 in the French Open first round here on Monday.

That win came on the same day that Venus Williams, the world number three, was struggling past another US Fed Cup player Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

"It was a little extra incentive. When I saw the draw come out and I saw that I play an Italian, I got a little more excited than I do normally," said Glatch.

"It's going to be a great final in November, and whether I'm picked or not, I'll be rooting for the US."

Glatch could face Serena Williams, the world number two, in the fourth round here and she believes her battling peformances against the Czechs in the semi-final can only work in her favour.

"The way I played at the Fed Cup gave me a lot of confidence. I learned that I can play with these players and I can beat these players out," she said.

Venus said she still had to make up her mind over playing in the Fed Cup final, to be held in Italy in November, where the US, champions on 17 occasions, will be hoping to win the title for the first time since 2000.

"I really want to. I haven't confirmed yet. If I do confirm, I'll be there. Once I give my word, I keep it. I just want to make sure it's something I can do," she said.

"We both really want to play. It's just important for us to make sure it's something we can do.

"Being at the end of the season is tough, and we both obviously expect to be playing in the (WTA season-ending) championships too. By that time, it's even tougher."

The WTA championships are in Qatar from October 27-Nov 1 with the Fed Cup final in Italy on Nov 7-8.

Fernandez hasn't given up hope of having the Williams pair in her squad.

"Venus and Serena are the best players in America and basically the whole world so hopefully they can play.

You have to pick your best team so I'll be calling them and getting them ready," she said after the semi-final win.

PARIS, May 26, 2009 ,AFP