The United States, the Fed Cup favourites, were dumped out in the first round by Austria at the climax of a controversial weekend which saw their number one player Jennifer Capriati thrown off the team. The reigning Australian and French Open champion was ditched by Captain Billie Jean King on Friday for flouting US team rules by refusing to cancel a private practice session with father and coach Stefano. King's ''zero-tolerance'' approach meant that the US had to forfeit Capriati's match on Saturday and, when Monica Seles was stunned by Barbara Schwartz on the opening day, the favourites were 2-0 down and facing an uphill battle in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Schwartz continued her heroics on Sunday, coming back from a set down to beat Capriati's replacement Meghann Shaughnessy 4-6 7-6 9-7? and complete one of the biggest shocks in fed Cup history.
''I still can't believe this. It's unbelievable for us to win here,'' Schwartz said afterwards.
''When we came here it was little Austria against the big United States with such great players, and we won.''
A devastated Shaughnessy said: ''It's the first time I've felt he pressure of playing for a team and my country.”
''It was definitely an added pressure. It's very disappointing.''
While the US contemplate what went wrong, the Austrians will next meet Croatia after they won the deciding doubles in Bol to defeat the Czech Republic 3-2.
Bureau Report