Clijsters will play in Fed Cup against Russia

LONDON, Mar 29 (Reuters) Former world number one Kim Clijsters will play for Belgium in the Fed Cup world group first round against champions Russia next month.

Clijsters said on her personal website she was looking forward to playing with Justine Henin-Hardenne in the first round tie on clay in Liege.

''We'll have to be at our best as the Russians have two strong top 10 players in Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova,'' the US Open champion said.

''I'll probably return from the US this weekend and then I can start preparing for the clay season.'' Clijsters, ranked second in the world, was knocked out of the Nasdaq-100 Open tournament in the second round, although she stayed on to play doubles with compatriot Caroline Maes.

''It has been a while though since I played the doubles. It's a good exercise as the doubles might be decisive in the Fed Cup meeting against Russia.'' Henin-Hardenne, the French Open champion, is ranked third in the world.

With Anastasia Myskina, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Maria Sharapova unavailable, Russia have called up Fed Cup newcomer Maria Kirilenko and Dinara Safina for the April 22-23 tie.

Russia are aiming for a Fed Cup hat-trick after winning back-to-back titles.

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