MADRID, Spain -- Belgium's Fed Cup captain accused the United States on Wednesday of using the terrorist attacks as an excuse to skip this week's tournament because it was being played on clay courts.

Ivo Van Aken spoke after Belgium swept its first series against Germany. Without the two-time defending champion Americans, Belgium, France, Spain and Russia are the favorites to win the top team event in women's tennis.

"It's obvious that they (Americans) didn't want to play on clay after the Masters and to come here just for one competition," Van Aken said. "That's why they're not here. The events of Sept. 11 gave them an excuse."

The Americans pulled out last month citing security concerns.

The U.S. Tennis Association, which fields the Fed Cup team, declined to comment on Van Aken's charge.

U.S. teams have won the Fed Cup 17 times and would have been the favorites again with a team that could have included Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Monica Seles and Serena Williams.

The Fed Cup championship match is Sunday.

French captain Guy Forget but slightly more sympathetic than Van Aken but still questioned the American's absence, especially since most of the team candidates had been playing tournaments around Europe as recently as last week.

"I regret and I can half understand the withdrawal. Very serious things are happening in the world," Forget said. "But I think that the world continues to turn, people continue to work.

"What's the difference between the Masters in Munich and the Fed Cup in Madrid?"

Spanish player Conchita Martinez, who was in the United States on Sept. 11 and lives much of the year there, said she understood the American's hesitance to travel.

"If the FBI says don't come, that there's a risk -- I'd stay at home, too," she said. "It's disappointing for the organizers, but I understand."