ROME — Serena Williams has been virtually unbeatable this year.
The top-ranked player could face quite a challenge this weekend, though, when she may have to play three matches in two days before a hostile crowd on slow red clay against Italy in a Fed Cup World Group playoff.
U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez says, "I think she's excited about starting her clay-court season early and getting ready for the French Open."
With sister Venus Williams withdrawing because of a personal matter, Serena will be expected to carry a squad that also features 45th-ranked Alison Riske, No.