World No. 2 Serena Williams, who will again take over the No. 1 ranking if she advances further than Dinara Safina at this week's Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships, will represent the U.S. in the Fed Cup final against Italy on Nov. 7-8, 2009.

U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe announced that US Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin, Alexa Glatch and doubles specialist Liezel Huber will join the younger Williams sister in representing the U.S. on the red clay court at the Circolo del Tennis "Rocco Polimeni" in Reggio Calabria, Italy.

The best-of-five match series begins on Saturday, Nov. 7 with two singles matches and is followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday, Nov. 8. Tennis Channel will present daily live coverage beginning at 5 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.

"I am very excited that Serena wants to represent her country. As captain, you want to have your best players competing, and Serena is the best in the world," Fernandez said. "Liezel is unquestionably our team leader and her strong doubles play has clinched both ties this season. Melanie is possibly the most improved player in the world this year, as evidenced by her incredible run at the US Open, and Alexa won two key matches on the road against the Czech Republic in April and will not be intimidated by the environment. I strongly believe that this team can go into Italy and win the Fed Cup title."

Williams, 28, will make her first appearance in Fed Cup since 2007 and is undefeated in her Fed Cup career in singles at 4-0. Oudin, 18, will be making her third straight appearance for the U.S. Fed Cup team after earning a key singles victory against Argentina with the U.S. facing a 2-1 deficit in February's quarterfinal.

Italy will be fronted by Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone, clay-savvy veterans who have shown some of their best tennis in 2009.