Maria Sharapova had to pull out of the Fed Cup because of a shoulder injury.
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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Sharapova, Kuznetsova Pull Out of Fed Cup Semis
The Russian national tennis team has lost its two top players ahead of a Fed Cup semi-final against the United States on July 14 and 15. Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova have to pull out because of injuries, Russian Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev told the Ves Sport news agency on Monday.
“We talked to Sveta [Kuznetsova] yesterday. She is now going through medical tests in Spain,” Shamil Tarpishchev said. “We don’t know yet how serious her injury is.”
Maria Sharapova will have to join Kuznetsova on the sidelines because of a shoulder injury. “She is going to have some rest in the next ten days,” the Russian captain told reporters. “I would say it is in her interest to play for Russia. I’m sure of this.”
World number two Maria Sharapova has never played for her country in the Fed Cup. She won’t be allowed to compete at the 2008 Olympics if she does not play a match for Russia before that.
Russia is going to Vermont, the United States, with world top 10 players Nadia Petrova and Anna Chakvetadze along with Elena Vesnina and Alla Kudryavtseva. Kudryavtseva, 19, is to make a debut in the national squad. Tarpishchev says he had to ask Kudryavtseva to replace a long-time national player Elena Dementieva who is now not in her best shape.
Venus and Serena Williams will lead the U.S. team along with Lisa Raymond and Vania King at the July 14-15 tie in Vermont.
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