Sharapova to spearhead Russia in Fed Cup

MOSCOW: World number two Maria Sharapova will spearhead Russia in their Fed Cup opening round match against Poland in Krakow from February 7-8, national Olympic team manager Vladimir Kamelzon said Tuesday.
Four-time champions Russia are trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2014 season, when they lost 4-0 to Australia in their opening round clash.
Kamelzon added that in addition to five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 23rd in the WTA rankings, and four-time Grand Slam title winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, ranked 27, will also play, along with world number 83 Vita Diatchenko.
“Sharapova’s participation is guaranteed,” Kamelzon told the R-Sport Agency.
“Kuznetsova and Pavlyuchenkova will likely play the doubles.
“Their participation will give all of them the right to play at the Olympics in Rio. We’ve formed a strong squad and our goal is to win this match.”
It will be the first meeting between the two nations in Fed Cup.