Russians face weakened USA in Fed Cup

MOSCOW, Russia -- Russia will try to retain their grip on the Fed Cup when they take on the United States in the semifinals in Moscow this weekend.

The Russians, who will be aiming for a hat-trick of victories over the 17-time title winners, having beaten them in 2005 and 2007, will have top 10 players Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anna Chakvetadze in their line-up but Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova will be absent.

"We had an agreement with Kuznetsova and Sharapova that one of them would play against Israel and the other against the United States," Russian captain Shamil Tarpishchev said.

Dinara Safina and Elena Vesnina complete the Russian team.

USA captain Zina Garrison must reply on a team of inexperienced young players after America's big names withdrew.

Vania King, 115th in the world, Ahsha Rolle, 145th in the WTA rankings, Madison Brengle 249th, and doubles specialist Liezel Huber will fill the gaps.

"Serena and Venus Williams were forced to withdraw from playing here because of some contract obligations they have to discharge," Garrison said.

"Lindsay (Davenport) had some health problems that prevented her from coming to Moscow. She was seriously upset as she really wanted to play in the semifinals. Anyway we came here to play for our country and I expect a top-class showdown," she added.

Tarpischev remains wary. "The American team have nothing to lose and it puts extra pressure on our side," he said.

Kuznetsova said:"It will be a tough match. We are clear favorites ahead of the start. But we all should play at our top level to win here.

"I believe in our team. We all are experienced fighters and should make no childish mistakes."

The winners will go on to face China or Spain, who clash in Beijing, with the home side favorites to become Asia's first finalists.

"We don't see being favorites as too much pressure," China's head tennis coach Jiang Hongwei said. "It is also an opportunity and we're looking forward to it."

China are at home on their fast hard courts of the indoor International Tennis Centre against a Spanish side who prefer clay.

Both number one players will miss the match, with China's Li Na recovering from surgery on her right knee and Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues committed elsewhere.

In Saturday's singles, Spanish number two Carla Suarez-Navarro, ranked 132 in the world, plays Peng Shuai, ranked 68, while 76th-ranked Nuria Llagostera Vives takes on 206-ranked Zheng Jie.

Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez and Arantxa Parra-Santonja pair up for the doubles against Zheng and Yan Zi on Sunday.

"The draw is not a big deal and it won't make any real difference," said Spanish coach Miguel Margets. "China are obviously the favorites on their own hard court but the pressure is off Spain and that suits us."

China earned their first semifinal appearance in the event with a dramatic 3-2 first-round victory over two-times champions France. E-mail to a friend