Belgium's Flipkens out because of blood clots

BRUSSELS (AP) Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens has had to withdraw from the Fed Cup World Group playoffs because she has blood clots in a calf muscle.

Belgium is already without Kim Clijsters and Yanina Wickmayer heading into the April 21-22 competition against Japan.

Flipkens's absence leaves Tamaryn Hendler as Belgium's top-ranked player at No. 210 in the WTA standings.

Clijsters has a torn hip muscle and will return to the WTA Tour at the Madrid Open, which starts May 5. Wickmayer, Belgium's highest-ranked player at No. 30, wants to focus on the tour.

Updated April 12, 2012