The United States has five women in the top 10, but only one of them, eighth-ranked Chanda Rubin, will be at this weekend's Fed Cup tie in Washington, D.C.

	Chanda Rubin has made it back into the top 10 since recovering from knee surgery.

Venus Williams was supposed to lead the team, but there is speculation that she'll miss most of the summer hard-court season leading into the U.S. Open after aggravating an abdominal muscle at Wimbledon. That left longtime Fed Cup player Monica Seles, who pulled out after a lingering foot injury.

"We understand Venus' need to recuperate and her decision not to compete in this Fed Cup quarterfinal in Washington, D.C.," Billie Jean King said in a statement last week. "Monica has been a stalwart contributor to the U.S. Fed Cup effort, but she too has been playing hurt and her need to fully heal from foot injury supersedes this Fed Cup commitment.

"We look forward to fielding the most competitive team of U.S. players to face the formidable Italian opponent and anticipate the fervor and enthusiasm of the fans in our nation's capital."

The most competitive? Not exactly. The No. 1 player in the world, Serena Williams, had previous commitments -- one of them the ESPY Awards. A year ago, Jennifer Capriati, currently ranked seventh, was kicked off the team by King. Then at Wimbledon, No. 5 Lindsay Davenport and King had a public disagreement.

So, that leaves Rubin, who is making an incredible comeback after knee surgery, No. 18 Meghann Shaughnessy, No. 26 Lisa Raymond and No. 28 Alexandra Stevenson.

It's been four years since Rubin has played in Fed Cup. She reached the quarterfinals at the French Open and recently defended her title at Eastbourne, England.

Shaughnessy hasn't seen much success since winning the title in Canberra, Australia, and making her best showing in a major with a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open. She's suffered a string of injuries and is still working with her coach -- Rafel Font de Mora -- who also happens to be her ex-fiance.

Raymond, however, is the top-ranked American player in doubles at No. 6. Recently, she broke up with doubles partner Renae Stubbs of Australia and has been playing with friend Davenport. Interestingly enough, Shaughnessy has been playing with Stubbs.

Stevenson attended her first Fed Cup in Lowell, Mass. But she didn't get to play after King decided to have the Williams sisters play the dead rubbers. At the time, King said the Williams sisters were who the crowd wanted to see, but the decision means Stevenson will not gain experience under her belt.

The U.S. team faces Italy, who also suffered a loss due to injury. No. 20 Silvia Farina Elia is out with a right foot injury. The rest of the Italians are all ranked below the Americans. No. 32 Francesca Schiavone, however, reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon -- defeating Rubin along the way -- in her best career showing there. Rounding out the team are No. 58 Rita Grande, No. 89 Antonella Serra Zanetti, called in to complete the lineup, and No. 106 Tathiana Garbi.

"These Italians prefer team play, I think," King said recently. "When we played them in Italy, you could see them raise the level of their game. I think that is the strongest Italian team they've probably ever had in the history of the country.

"When I used to play, they used to have two players that were very good. All they did was lob all day long. But these players are much better. They're much more aggressive and consistent. So I think you're going to find really some very good matches. I hope not too good, though. I'm hoping."

The teams will play two singles matches on Saturday, with two singles matches and the doubles to be played Sunday.

WORLD GROUP MATCHUPS
Belgium vs. Slovak Republic at Charleroi, Belgium
Wimbledon semifinalists No.2 Kim Clijsters and No.3 Justine Henin-Hardenne will start as overwhelming favorites against the Slovakians, who are missing their top-ranked player, Daniela Hantuchova.

The Slovaks are hungry to defend their country's first-ever title after beating Spain in last year's final. Rising stars Lubomira Kurhajcova and Eva Fislova join the more experienced Janette Husarova and Ludmila Cervanova.

Slovenia vs. Russia at Portoro, Slovakia
Overall, the Russian women are on the rise on the WTA Tour. The Russians have lost in two of the past four finals, presenting a challenge to the Slovenians. However, Katarina Srebotnik was runner-up last week in Palermo and Maja Matevzic advanced to the third round at Wimbledon.

Spain vs. France at Oviedo, Spain
The Spaniards are missing their top-ranked player in Conchita Martinez but talented lefty Magui Serna leads a solid lineup along with No.2 doubles player and Australian Open singles quarterfinalist Virginia Ruano Pascual.

For France, Amélie Mauresmo is scheduled to make her return from the rib injury that forced her withdrawal from Wimbledon, joining Nathalie Dechy, Emilie Loit and up-and-coming Stephanie Cohen-Aloro.