Sharapova to debut for Russia in Fed Cup
Maria Sharapova is set to make her Fed Cup debut for Russia next month in Israel, while Venus and Serena Williams will skip the U.S. match against Germany.
The fifth-ranked Sharapova leads the Russian team announced Wednesday for the World Group series Feb. 2-3 at Ramat Hasharon.
"I`m so excited about this trip," she said on the Fed Cup Web site. "It`s one of my priorities for this year, along with competing in the Olympics. I`m looking forward to the team experience and visiting Israel for the first time."
The U.S. team of Lindsay Davenport, Laura Granville, Ashley Harkleroad and Lisa Raymond will play Germany in La Jolla, Calif.
The Fed Cup will be Davenport`s first singles matches in the United States since the 2006 U.S. Open. She took time off to have her first child last summer.
U.S. captain Zina Garrison announced Davenport`s return to Fed Cup play last month.
Germany chose an inexperienced team of Tatjana Malek, Julia Georges, Sabine Lisicki and Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Malek is the highest-ranked player at No. 83.
Sharapova was selected to Russia`s squad for last year`s Fed Cup final against Italy in Moscow, but was injured and didn`t play in the 4-0 victory.
Sixth-ranked Anna Chakvetadze, Dinara Safina and Elena Vesnina round out the Russian team for the Israel match. The team does not include No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova, who won the decisive match in the 2007 final, or Nadia Petrova, who played doubles.
Israel`s team includes Shahar Peer, Tzipora Obziler, Keren Shlomo and Julia Glushko. Peer is Israel`s highest ranked player at No. 17.
"I think coming into it, we`re going to be expected to win," said Sharapova, who has reached the Australian Open semifinals.
Li Na, Peng Shuai, Zheng Jie and Yan Zi were named to the Chinese team that will host France on the indoor courts of the Beijing International Tennis center.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo heads the French team, along with Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli, Virginie Razzano and Nathalie Dechy.
Italy hosts Spain in the other first-round matchup. Italy named Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Tathiana Garbin and Sara Errani for the outdoor match in Naples.
Anabel Medina Garrigues, Lourdes Dominguez-Lino, Virginia Ruano and Nuria Llagostera Vives are on the Spanish team.
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