MOSCOW (AP)—Maria Sharapova will make her long-awaited appearance for Russia in a home Fed Cup tie this weekend.
Sharapova made her Fed Cup debut three years ago in Israel, winning both matches. Injuries prevented her from playing in the 2008 final and being available again until now, but for the sake of her nerves she was glad to have that 2008 tie against Israel under her belt.
“That was a perfect experience for me,” Sharapova said on Wednesday. “I think mentally it will be much easier this time. The crowd will cheer for us and no one will be throwing walnuts.”
She claimed the crowd in Ramat Hasharon threw food onto the court while she was playing, and she expects a better-behaved audience in Moscow.
They should have a lot to be happy about.
Russia will wheel out two Grand Slam champions in Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova and former No. 1 Dinara Safina to face an inexperienced France.
Two-time major winner Svetlana Kuznetsova has featured in the last three of Russia’s four Fed Cup title wins. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, ranked 14th, rounded out the highly favored team. If Russia wins, No. 2-ranked Vera Zvonareva will be available for the semifinals.
Russia has been unbeaten at home in eight ties since losing to France in the 2003 semifinals. The streak includes a win over France in the 2004 final. Russia prevailed again in the 2005 final, the last time the teams met.
“We would like to keep the statistics growing,” said Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev.
The visitors understand the odds are against them.
“The Russian team is really strong,” France captain Nicola Escude said. “It doesn’t matter who Tarpischev will name the No. 1 for the tie. Our players work hard and they are ready to challenge the Russians.”
But France will be without its two highest-ranked players, Marion Bartoli and Aravane Rezai, who withdrew only last month because of what she called inaccurate media reports over a WTA appearance ban against an undisclosed member of her family.
In her absence, Escude chose the 67th-ranked Alize Cornet to lead the team.
Cornet lost to eventual champion Kim Clijsters in the third round of the Australian Open for the best showing among French women in the event.
The French team also includes Virginie Razzano, Pauline Parmentier and Julie Coin.
“Women’s tennis in France is now in the doldrums but we have our best players in the team,” Escude said.
All four Russians have a positive win-loss record against their French opponents.
Sharapova beat Razzano in the second round of the Australian Open—the only match between the eight players this season.
“It was my first ever match against Sharapova,” said Razzano. “I really enjoyed playing her and now I know her strong and weak sides much better.”
Russia is on home turf for the first time since routing China 5-0 in the first round in 2009.
The draw for the tie is on Friday. The winner will play either defending champion Italy or Australia in the semifinals on April 16-17.