Vania King will replace Bethanie Mattek-Sands on the U.S. Fed Cup team that will face Germany this weekend in the Fed Cup World Group Playoff on indoor clay in Stuttgart. King will join teammates Melanie Oudin, Christina McHale and Liezel Huber in Stuttgart on Wednesday.
Mattek-Sands aggravated a hip injury during a loss in the doubles final at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C. She had appeared in four straight ties for the U.S. and has served as the team’s No.1 singles player for three consecutive ties, including the Fed Cup first round earlier this year against Belgium.
“We’re fortunate that Vania is willing to answer the call on short notice. She’s been a great team member who is very versatile and can step in and play either singles or doubles,” said U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez. “Bethanie had a great run at the Family Circle Cup, reaching the doubles final. Unfortunately, she got hurt. Hopefully she can recover and get back on the court soon.”
Currently the world’s No. 6 doubles player, King, 22, will be making her seventh appearance for the U.S. She partnered with Huber to record the only point for the U.S. in the first round tie versus Belgium, and has a 4-2 doubles record in her Fed Cup career. Last year, King partnered with Yaroslava Shvedova to capture the doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
