Russia's tennis star Maria Sharapova reacts as she watches the play of compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova against Italy's Francesca Schiavone during their Fed Cup final tennis match in Moscow, September 16, 2007.
Photo: Reuters
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Sharapova to Stand For Russia in Fed Cup
Russia's tennis star Maria Sharapova will change the schedule next season to play for the national team in the Fed Cup, said Shamil Tarpischev, captain of the country’s Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams. Most probably, Sharapova won’t take part in some WTA tournaments, Ves Sport (All Sport) news agency reported.
Tarpischev said he discussed potential performance of Sharapova for the national team in 2008 personally with Maria, with her father and her manager. Sharapova has never refused to play for the team, the captain emphasized, explaining she has never done it because of quite a number of unfavorable circumstances.
But some difficulties couldn’t be avoided, Tarpischev acknowledged. The first round match of the Fed Cup (February 2 and 3), where Russia will face Israel will be held straight after Australia Open. So, the extent of Sharapova’s fitness after the season’s first Big Slam competition is yet unclear.
But should Maria fail to defend Russia in the first half of 2008, she wouldn’t be able to play at Beijing 2008 Olympics. No more than two women tennis players can represent each country at Olympic singles.
www.kommersant.com
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