PARIS (AP) — France captain Nicolas Escude has left off Marion Bartoli from the Fed Cup team when it faces Spain in the World Group playoff.
Escude selected Alize Cornet, Mathilde Johansson, Virgine Razzano and Aravane Rezai, with Pauline Parmentier as reserve for the April 16-17 matchup on outdoor clay in the Spanish city of Lerida.
The 12th-ranked Bartoli is a former Wimbledon finalist. But she has clashed with Escude and the French tennis federation over her independent coaching setup with her father.
Rezai is ranked 24th and Cornet 67th.
France has never dropped out of the World Group and is tied with Spain at 4-4 in previous matchups.
France lost to Russia in the first round. Spain is bidding to reach the World Group after a year outside the top level.
