(Sports Network) - Eleven-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams and surprise U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin will lead the United States in its Fed Cup final against host Italy next week.

The reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion Williams will play Fed Cup tennis for the first time since 2007. She's 4-0 in her career Fed Cup play.

"I am very excited that Serena wants to represent her country. As captain, you want to have your best players competing, and Serena is the best in the world," said U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez.

Williams and Oudin will be joined on the American roster by top-ranked doubles specialist Liezel Huber and Alexa Glatch.

Serena's Wimbledon runner-up sister Venus elected against playing next week.

Team USA and Italy will meet in a best-of-five affair in Reggio Calabria from November 7-8. The U.S. is 9-0 all-time against the Italians, who will play in their third Fed Cup final in four years. Italy won the title in 2006.

The United States leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles, but hasn't won the chalice since 2000.





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