They were drawn against Italy, who were in a midst of internal turmoil at that moment and thus were led by their No. 5 and World No. 102 Adriana Serra Zanetti. This meant that, although Pierce was struggling with injury and Tauziat was in trouble after her Wimbledon performance, the team, led by World No. 7 and new French No. 1 Mauresmo, was still expected to easily win. Alongside Mauresmo was Testud, who had recently had an eye injury, and Dechy and young newcomer Virginie Razzano, who were due to play doubles. Ultimately, the tie went as predicted as Mauresmo and Testud dominated the Italians in singles to claim the victory. Now part of the 2001 World Group, France was placed in Pool A along with Argentina, Czech Republic and Russia. Joined by their top three players: Mauresmo, Tauziat, and Testud (No. 7, 11 and 14 respectively), the French team was predicted to perform well in competition, since their closest rivals in Russia were again without their No. 1 Anna Kournikova due to injury, and so were led by the inexperienced World No. 12 Elena Dementieva. The French began strongly, defeating the Czechs without losing a set, but the Russians managed to upset France with their two singles players, Dementieva and Nadia Petrova defeating Testud and Mauresmo. Although the team then beat Argentina in spite of a penalty placed against them due to a last-moment team switch-up on the first rubber, their loss was enough to ensure they would once again fail to qualify for the final. The Fed Cup format changed again for 2002, with the World Group featuring a four-round knockout tournament featuring sixteen teams in the first round. France was once again drawn against Argentina for their first tie, to be played in the South American country. They won, 3–2, with Mauresmo, still the French No. 1, continuing to impress in singles, to set up a quarterfinal tie against Slovakia. Mauresmo, who reached the semifinals of Wimbledon a few weeks ago, once again led to French, while upcoming teenager and Pacific Life Open champion Daniela Hantuchová led the Slovaks. The French team were upset by the Slovaks, with Mauresmo getting beaten in three sets by Hantuchová and Suchá defeating Dechy, who was tearful after the defeat. Slovakia went on to win the 2002 competition and claim the first ITF World No. 1 spot, while France were placed