By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, April 9, 2014

 

Led by Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens, the U.S. Fed Cup will take on France without the help of either Serena Williams or Venus Williams this April.

Photo Credit: AP

Once again, the U.S. Fed Cup team will try and secure a needed victory without the help of two of its veteran players.

The USTA along with U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez announced the U.S. Fed Cup team that will compete against France later this month in St. Louis in a World Group Playoff tie. At stake is a spot in next year's World Group.

Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Varvara Lepchenko and Christina McHale were named to the team on Wednesday.

Absent from that list were both of the Williams Sisters. World No. 1 Serena Williams, who lost in the second round last week in Charleston, cited a need for an extended break. Venus Williams is committed to playing at the WTA event in Kuala Lumpur being held that same week.

France, led by their captain and former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, will field Alize Cornet, Caroline Garcia, Virginie Razzano and Kristina Mladenovic.

“We have a great combination of experience and talent competing in this Fed Cup tie against France,” Fernandez said in a statement. “We are excited to be led by Sloane, a strong Top 20 competitor, as well as promising young players in Madison and Christina, who have both performed well this year and have Fed Cup experience. Varvara always comes up big in Fed Cup as well and loves competing for her country. I have full confidence in this team to play great tennis in front of a patriotic crowd in St. Louis and keep the U.S. in contention for the Fed Cup title in 2015.”

The tie will be held at St. Louis University from April 19-20. This will be the 13th meeting between both nations with France's only win coming in 2003.