Belgium, France favourites at Fed Cup finals

Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin spearhead Belgium's bid for a first Fed Cup title at the finals in Madrid this week.

French Open finalist Clijsters, ranked five in the world, and seventh-ranked Wimbledon runner-up Henin are joined by their less heralded compatriots Laurence Courtois and Els Callens in their four-strong team.

Both Henin and Clijsters battled in the year-ending Tour Championships in Munich last week, and are ready to write another page of Belgian tennis history.

"I'm feeling good. I don't have any injuries," Clijsters said ahead of Wednesday's opening match against Germany -- late replacements for reigning champions the United States.

The U.S. pulled out because of security concerns after the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington and the subsequent U.S.-led strikes in Afghanistan.

Henin left Munich immediately after her defeat at the hands of Serena Williams last week to practice on clay.

"We need to practice on clay but we can both play well on that surface," she said. "We know the expectations are high in Belgium and we don't want to let the people down."

FOUR FAVOURITES

But the Belgians will face a stiff challenge in particular from hosts Spain, neighbours France and a strong Russian squad among the eight finalists competing in Madrid.

The four favourites are joined by Australia, Argentina, Czech Republic and Germany.

Guy Forget's French side has strength in depth and is led by the powerful Amelie Mauresmo.

The world number nine is joined by 13th-ranked Nathalie Tauziat, world number 11 Sandrine Testud and Nathalie Dechy.

Testud also competed in Munich and knows the French have a great opportunity to end the season in winning style.

"Guy Forget has come here to watch us play and he must have been satisfied with what he saw. I'm playing reasonably well and Nathalie (Tauziat) seems to be doing well in doubles," she said.

"I think we stand a chance but there are other strong teams, especially Belgium with Justine (Henin) and Kim (Clijsters).

"But I am pleased with the way I have been playing this year.

"I think it was... certainly... the best in my career, the best in years. I was very consistent. I played well. I beat very good players."

RUSSIAN ASSAULT

Elena Dementieva and Elena Likhovtseva lead the Russian assault with Nadia Petrova and Elena Bovina completing their line-up.

Hosts Spain, whitewashed 5-0 by the U.S. in last year's final, rely on experience with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Conchita Martinez, Gala Leon Garcia and Virginia Ruano Pascual in action.

Argentina's Paula Suarez is joined by the little known Maria Emilia Salerni, Clarisa Fernandez and Laura Montalvo, while Australia's Nicole Pratt, Alicia Molik, Rachel McQuillan and Evie Dominikovic will rely on team spirit to advance.

Germany are represented by Barbara Rittner, Bianka Lamade, Martina Mueller and Scarlett Werner, while the Czech Republic have named Daja Bedanova, Denisa Chladkova, Kveta Hrdlickova and Petra Cetkovska as their team.

The World Finals will be played using a round-robin format within two groups -- Belgium, Spain, Russia and Australia in one and Germany, France, Argentina and the Czech Republic in the other -- with the nation finishing top of each group going through to contest the final and determine the champion nation for 2001.