Henin withdrawal opens Belgium v U S Fed Cup tie

BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) Justine Henin-Hardenne's withdrawal from Belgium's Fed Cup semi-final against an injury-depleted United States this weekend has turned an expected walkover into a more even contest.

The French Open champion and world number three was to have teamed up with Kim Clijsters, US Open winner and world number two, in an apparent mismatch against a US side with no player in the top 50.

Clijsters and Henin had teamed up for the first time since July 2003 to knock out Fed Cup holders Russia in April, but must now hope likely stand-in Kirsten Flipkens picks up a victory to set up a final against either Italy or Spain.

Henin-Hardenne pulled out yesterday, saying she was exhausted after 18 matches in a month, although she promised to be cheering on her compatriots from the stands in Ostend.

The United States have won all four previous meetings between the nations, although they travel without Lindsay Davenport or either of the Williams sisters.

The 17-time champions' likely singles players will be Jamea Jackson, ranked 67, and Jill Craybas, 70, both of whom have registered surprises this season.

Craybas beat Clijsters in Miami in April. Jackson defeated world number four Maria Sharapova to reach the final of the Birmingham Classic last month.

ITALY FAVOURED In Spain, Italy are expected to prevail after an impressive 4-1 victory over France in April.

Francesca Schiavone will seek to reproduce the form she showed in beating world number one Amelie Mauresmo, a win she described as the best of her career.

Mara Santangelo and Flavia Pennetta also return, the latter in confident mood after reaching the last eight at Wimbledon.

Spain have kept faith with the quartet that whitewashed Austria 5-0.

The team will comprise Anabel Medina Garrigues, Lourdes Dominguez-Lino, Maria Sanchez Lorenzo and Virginia Ruano Pascual, who lost in the final of the women's doubles at Wimbledon last weekend.

Spain, who won the Fed Cup five times in the 1990s, are in their third consecutive semi-final and playing on their favourite clay surface at the Estadio Casablanca in Zaragoza.

''We are especially motivated because we are playing at home and we are on our best surface. We have a real chance of reaching another final,'' Spain captain Miguel Margets told reporters.

REUTERS DH KN1613