South Africa's Huber to prove she's all-American

DOHA (AFP) - South African-born Liezel Huber is determined to prove she's an all-American girl when the US tackle Italy in the Fed Cup final.

The 33-year-old doubles specialist was born in Durban, but became a US citizen in 2007 and will be playing in her first final as an American player.

"I love playing for the U.S. I don't want to play for any other country. You'll see it next week," said Huber, who represented South Africa in 12 Fed Cup ties between 1998-2003 before switching nationality.

Huber, who made the WTA Championships doubles final here on Saturday with Zimbabwe's Cara Black, has also backed young stars Melanie Oudin and Alexa Glatch to shine after world number one Serena Williams pulled out of the final.

Williams, who didn't feature in the earlier stages of the tournament, had been selected by captain Mary Jo Fernandez for the November 7-8 final which will be played on clay in the Italian town of Reggio Calabria.

But Williams, still involved in singles and doubles action here, withdrew Saturday to be replaced by Vania King.

"I'm a team leader and it's important for me to be there for the young girls and be a leader for them. And I'm going to do that when I'm playing or even when I'm cheering on the side."

Oudin reached the US Open quarter-finals this year while Glatch won both her singles rubbers in the 3-2 semi-final win over the Czech Republic.

In Sunday's final here, Huber and Black, who saw off Australia's Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs in the semi-finals, will tackle either Serena and Venus Williams or Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.