LONDON, 22 July 2003 — Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne earned Belgium a semifinal showdown with the US after propelling their country to a 5-0 rout of holders Slovakia in the Fed Cup on Sunday.
Despite the absence of their top four players, a depleted American team whitewashed Italy 5-0.
An impressive France trounced five-time champions Spain 4-1 to set up a last-four date with Russia, who whitewashed Slovenia 5-0. Slovakia limped out of the tournament after world number two Clijsters thrashed Janette Husarova 6-0, 6-1 in 40 minutes in Charleroi.
Henin offered little respite to the visitors, demolishing Eva Fislova 6-2, 6-1 while Els Callens and Caroline Maes completed the drubbing.
Handed the task of spearheading the US campaign in Washington, world number eight Chanda Rubin ensured the 17-times champions a spot in the semifinals when a battling 5-7, 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Francesca Schiavone gave her side a winning 3-0 margin.
Amelie Mauresmo beat Magui Serna 7-5, 6-2 to give 1997 winners France a winning lead over Spain before Stephanie Cohen-Aloro extended the margin to 4-0.
Elena Bovina stepped in for Russian number one Anastasia Myskina to overcome Slovenia’s Katarina Srebotnik 7-6, 6-2 in the day’s opening rubber in Portoroz, giving the Russians an unbeatable 3-0 lead.
Srebotnik surrendered after an hour and 40 minutes.
The semifinals and final will be played at one venue during the week starting Nov. 17.
