- Title: ISRAEL: TENNIS - Russia and Israel prepare for Fed Cup clash
- Date: 2nd February 2008
- Summary: HERZLIYA, ISRAEL (FEBRUARY 1, 2008) (REUTERS) CLOSE UP MARIA SHARAPOVA ENJOYING HERSELF ON PRACTICE COURT
- Embargoed: 17th February 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Israel
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA7SBJSKRWSH3ASMLMQ03F5NTKA
- Story Text: Maria Sharapova prepares for her Fed Cup debut against Israel.
Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova will make her long-awaited Fed Cup debut for champions Russia when they face World Group newcomers Israel in the first-round tie this weekend.
Fresh from her victory at Melbourne Park, the Florida-based Russian is keen to forget her strained relationship with some of her team mates and finally step on court to represent the country of her birth.
"I'm just really looking forward to the experience. This has been one of my priorities since the beginning of the year. I've always wanted to be a part of this team competition and I really look forward to it," said the world number five, who pulled out of last year's semi-final against the U.S. citing injury but turned up to cheer on the Russians in the final against Italy.
Sharapova will be joined by world number seven Anna Chakvetadze, Dinara Safina (16) and Elena Vesnina (53) as the Russians launch their bid to capture a fourth Fed Cup title in five years.
Shahar Peer will spearhead Israel's hopes of pulling off an upset victory but she was more excited at the prospect of making a rare appearance in front of her home fans.
"It's the first time for us playing in front of our home crowd so it will be really exciting," said the world number 17.
Peer, the only top 80 player for the hosts, will be joined by 34-year-old Tzipi Obziler, Julia Glushko and Keren Shlomo.
The experienced Obziler, 34, will take on Sharapova on Saturday.
"She's a good player but I think I have a lot of experience playing Fed Cup," said Obziler.
Peer is drawn to face Safina, ranked one place above her, in Saturday's opening rubber.
Russian captain Shamil Tarpishchev said he opted for 16th-ranked Safina as the second singles player -- instead of world number seven Chakvetadze -- because her style was more suited to the cold outdoor conditions.
The Jewish state is riding on a wave of tennis euphoria after Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich captured the men's doubles title at the Australian Open, while Peer was runner-up in the women's doubles with Belarus' Victoria Azarenka.
The tie in Israel is one of four taking place this weekend, with the U.S. hosting Germany in California, France travelling to Beijing to face China and Italy are at home in Naples to Spain. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None