Golovin takes Amelie role

Golovin, who won her first career title in the Amelia Island championships last Sunday, will take over from Amelie Mauresmo, who is recovering from appendicitis.

France's captain George Goven also selected Nathalie Dechy, Severine Bremond and Virginie Razzano.

"It was an automatic choice as Tatiana Golovin is our obvious number one player in the absence of Amelie," he said in an interview with the French Federation.

"I picked Severine Bremond to play doubles as her recent singles results have been average. Nathalie Dechy, who can play singles and doubles is back to her best. Virgine Razzano is our in-form player," he added.

Goven thought France would be slight favourites against Japan.

"We are playing at home and the Japanese rely on one player (Ai Sugiyama) but without Amelie the tie will be more open," he said.