Team USA Missing Major Starpower in Upcoming Fed Cup Final vs. Czechs

So much for the blockbuster matchups that could have been.The United States has elected to go with three first-time Fed Cup players in Prague at this year’s Fed Cup final. Team U.S.A. has announced that Alison Riske, Danielle Collins, Sofia Kenin and Nicole Melichar will make the trip to Prague to battle the Czech Republic, which boasts a star-studded team consisting of Petra Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova, Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Strycova.It’s tough news for the Americans, who will be without Sloane Stephens, the Williams sisters, Madison Keys, CoCo Vandeweghe, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands as they try to defend their title against the Czech juggernaut.

Collins, Kenin, Riske and Melichar tapped for U.S. team to face mighty Czechs in @FedCup finalNo Williams sisters, Madison Keys, Sloane, CoCo or one of the best doubles players of this generation, Bethanie Mattek Sands

— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) October 31, 2018

The U.S. defeated Belarus for their 18th Fed Cup title last November in Minsk, with a team that consisted of Riske, Stephens, Vandeweghe and Shelby Rogers.The Czechs have won the Fed Cup title five times in the last seven years.Melichar, ranked 875 in singles, will likely only be used for doubles—she reached the Wimbledon doubles final this season with Kveta Peschke.Madison Keys, currently competing in Zhuhai, has reportedly ruled herself out due to injury.

Madison Keys on not playing the @FedCup final: Said she had a talk with Kathy Rinaldi and wasn’t sure how her knee would hold up after @WTAEliteTrophy. Didn’t want to be a liability by getting named to the team and be unable to actually play.

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) October 31, 2018

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