U.S. routs Belarus behind Williams sisters

WORCESTER, Mass. – Venus Williams returned from a five-month layoff, and Serena Williams and Christina McHale won singles matches Sunday, sending the United States past Belarus 5-0 in the first round of the Fed Cup.

By blanking Belarus in World Group II, the Americans head to a playoff in April in hopes of playing their way back into the top tier of the Fed Cup after getting bounced last year.

“You don’t want to be in this group any extra time,” U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez said. “It was a big win and now we have another task in front of us.”

Venus Williams and Liezel Huber completed the shutout with a doubles victory, defeating Darya Kustova and Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1, 6-2. This was Williams’ first sanctioned match since the opening round of the U.S. Open. She had been diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain and forced her to withdraw from the Open.

“It felt great,” Venus Williams said. “It was everything I expected. I’m really glad the team got to the 4-love lead.”

McHale won in straight sets for the second consecutive day, beating Darya Kustova 6-0, 6-1 to put the U.S. up 4-0.

Serena Williams had already guaranteed a U.S. victory earlier in the day by defeating Anastasiya Yakimova 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, the Australian Open champion, sat out all four singles matches with a back injury.

Venus Williams’ win almost overshadowed the team victory.

“It was perfect conditions,” said Venus Williams, who is uncertain when she will make her return to singles.