2001 Fed Cup  The 2001 Fed Cup was the 39th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. The World Group was held at the Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I in Madrid, Spain, from 7–11 November. It was reduced from thirteen to eight teams, divided into two pools, with the winners meeting in the finals. In the final, Belgium defeated Russia, giving Belgium their first title. Dates: 28–29 April  The winners of Zonal Competition from the last year (Argentina, Hungary, Japan) were randomly drawn against five teams from the 2000 World Group pools. The winners were guaranteed a spot in the World Group next year. Dates: 21–22 July  The winners of the first round played off against four other teams from the 2000 World Group pools, with the winners proceeding to the World Group. The losers of the first round played off against this year's zonal competition winners, with the winners remaining in World Group for next year, and the losers proceeding to Zonal Competition for next year. Note: Germany, as the highest-ranked of the 2nd round losers in the ITF's Fed Cup rankings, replaced the defending champions United States in the World Group after the US withdrew citing security risks following the September 11 attacks. All ties were played at the Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I, Madrid, Spain, on indoor clay courts. Venue: Montevideo, Uruguay (outdoor clay)  Dates: 23–28 April  Venue: St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda (outdoor hard)  Dates: 15–19 May    Venue: Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei (outdoor hard)  Dates: 9–14 April   Venue: Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei (outdoor hard)  Dates: 9–14 April     Venue: Murcia, Spain (outdoor clay)  Dates: 24–28 April  Venue: Belek, Antalya, Turkey (outdoor clay)  Dates: 14–17 May