US Tennis team aim to end 17-yr drought in Fed Cup final against Belarus

MINSK, Nov 9 (AFP): The United States aim to end their longest Fed Cup title drought when they meet a Belarus team missing former world number one and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in this weekend's final.

The 17-time champions USA claimed their last title in 2000 and have lost three finals since -- to France in 2003 and Italy in 2009 and 2010.

This time they are missing the Williams sisters, who have not played in the Fed Cup this season, but all the members of American team are ranked higher than Belarus' top available player, Aryna Sabalenka, who is 78th in the world.

Belarus have battled into their maiden Fed Cup final but will be without Azarenka because of an ongoing custody battle over her baby son.