LONDON, July 7: Fifteen of the world's top-20 ranked women's players have answered their country's call and will report for Federation Cup action at the weekend.

Wimbledon finalist Jana Novotna re-adapts back to clay in Prague after her exertions on the grass courts of the All England Club to spearhead the Czech Republic's bid to reach the elite World Group final.

The Czechs will be facing the Netherlands in Prague and the 28-year-old Novotna, who has reached a career-high No 2 in the rankings, will be backed up by Adriana Gersi, Sandra Kleinova and Eva Martincova.

The Dutch, who scored an upset victory over the United States in their opening round World Group clash, will be basing their challenge around the big-serving of Brenda Schultz-McCarthy.

Schultz-McCarthy, a semi-finalist at Eastbourne, will have had time to rest for the tie since she was a third-round Wimbledon victim of Belgium's Sabine Appelmans.

Other members of the Dutch team are Miriam Oremans, Kristie Boogert and Manon Bollegraf.

In the other semi-final, which will also to be played in clay, Yannick Noah will be hoping he can continue to inspire his players in his first campaign as captain of the French team.

France, who defeated Japan in the first round, play Belgium who have called up Appelmans, Dominique van Roost, Els Callens and Laurence Courtois.The Belgians, like their Dutch neighbours, pulled off a major surprise in the first round when they defeated Spain -- four-times champions since 1990.

Spain, again led by Wimbledon semi-finalist Arantxa Sanchez Vicario but without Conchita Martinez now face a tough clash against Australia in Hope Island, Queensland in one of the World Group and Group Two play-offs.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.