'Leave it all out on the court' - Captain Rinaldi's message to USA Fed Cup team

USA Fed Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi says she expects her team to give everything as they face Australia at home in Asheville this weekend.

"We're going to take it one match at a time and not underestimate anybody," she told press before the tie. "We're going to go out there, compete. We're going to be a strong team, have each other's backs, leave it all out on the court. That's all I can ask as the captain."

Rinaldi revealed that 20-year-old Sofia Kenin will play the first singles rubber - returning to Fed Cup action after suffering two three-set defeats in the 2018 final against Czech Republic.

"Prague was something memorable," said Kenin. "I'm never going to forget that. Only difference here is they're going to be cheering for me instead of against me. It's going to help me. Hopefully I can take the win for Team USA."

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Australian Open semifinalist Danielle Collins will have a day off on Saturday due to feeling "under the weather" earlier in the week.

"Feeling fine now," she assured reporters. "Hopefully this will give me another day of recovery and be ready to go on Sunday. I had a great start to the year. Hope that I can help contribute to the team in every way possible. Yeah, just grateful to have a healthy start to the year, to have had a good run in Australia."

Doubles star Nicole Melichar did not get to play during last year's final as the Czech Republic coasted to a 3-0 win, and is ready to go should she be required this weekend.

"It was unfortunate I didn't get to play, but I loved the team experience," said the 25-year-old. "Kathy is such a great captain. We all had an unbelievable experience the whole week.

"I think it was just good for me to see how it goes, see the home-versus-away crowds and stuff. It was 18,000 people cheering against us. Now we'll have I don't know how many here, maybe 5,000, 6,000 people cheering for us.

"Like Kathy said, it's just as important, your role on the bench, as it is on the court. Whoever is not playing needs to be there for their teammates. I think we'll do that."