BRUSSELS (AP)—The Czech Republic will be the favorite against Belgium in the Fed Cup semifinals after Kim Clijsters was forced to pull out because of an injury.
Clijsters pulled out with shoulder and wrist injuries last week. She added to her health problems by injuring an ankle while dancing at a wedding last the weekend.
The Czechs will have 18th-ranked Petra Kvitova for the best-of-five series this weekend, while Belgium will rely on No. 23 Yanina Wickmayer.
The Czechs will have three more players in the top 65, while Belgium’s next best player, Kirsten Flipkens, is ranked 106th.
The winner will face either Russia or Italy in the Fed Cup final in September.
