Reigning U.S. Open and Australian Open champ Kim Clijsters rallied from a one-set deficit to defeat Bethanie Mattek-Sands in three sets and lead Belgium to a 4-1 win over the U.S. in the Fed Cup quarters in Antwerp.
It was the first time in 10 years and only the third time in the history of competition that the U.S. has lost in the opening round. Belgium will face the Czech Republic in semis, April 16-17 — the same weekend the U.S. will play in the World Group Playoffs against an opponent to be determined.
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) def. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 6-1, 7-6(6)
Kim Clijsters (BEL) def. Melanie Oudin (USA) 6-0, 6-4
Clijsters (BEL) def. Mattek-Sands (USA) 6-7(10), 6-2, 6-1
Wickmayer (BEL) def. Oudin (USA) 6-2, 6-0
Liezel Huber/Vania King (USA) def. Kirsten Flipkens/An-Sophie Mestach (BEL) 6-3, 7-5
In the World Group Playoffs, the four World Group first-round losers — Australia, France, Slovak Republic and U.S. — will be joined by the four World Group II first-round winners — Germany, Serbia, Spain and Ukraine. The winners of the World Group Playoff matches advance to the 2012 World Group I, while the losers are relegated to World Group II for next year. Likely to be seeded: U.S., Spain, Slovak Republic, Australia. Site if U.S. drawn to play: France (home), Germany (away), Serbia (determined by lot), Ukraine (determined by lot).
