Serena Scratched From Fed Cup Match

Sunday, April 22nd 2007, 2:33 pm

By: News On 6

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) _ Serena Williams pulled out of her Fed Cup singles match Sunday against Belgium because of slight inflammation in her right knee, and she was replaced by 18-year-old Vania King.

The soreness surfaced after Williams won her match Saturday against Caroline Maes. Williams was examined Sunday by a team doctor, and U.S. captain Zina Garrison decided to replace her as a precaution.

The team said the inflammation wasn't related to Williams' groin injury April 10, when she retired from a match in Charleston, S.C.

The U.S. team entered Sunday with a 2-0 lead, giving King a chance to clinch the victory in the best-of-five match. King, ranked 83rd, was to play Kirsten Flipkens.