London: Belgium will be favourites to win the Fed Cup for the second time after reaching their second final on Sunday with a 4-1 victory over a weakened US team.
The Belgians, winners in 2001, will be at home against Italy who beat Spain to reach their first final on September 16/17.
The Belgians were too strong even with only one of their two players in the world's top three, Kim Clijsters, who won both her singles to secure the victory after only three of the five rubbers.
Belgian captain Carl Maes said he hoped neither side would be hit by injuries in the final, due exactly a week after the US Open.
"You want the best players in the final, so let's hope our players are fit and that theirs are too," Maes said.
He hopes to count on French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, ranked third, one place below Clijsters, who pulled out of the semi-final through exhaustion. The pair both took part in Belgium's win over Russia in the 2001 final in Madrid.
The Americans were without both Williams sisters and Lindsay Davenport, all nursing injuries.
Italy won 3-1 in Zaragoza against the Spanish, who lifted the cup five times between 1991 and 1998. With the tie already settled, the doubles was cancelled because of the extreme heat.
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