Maria Sharapova will skip the Fed Cup semifinal against the USA in Moscow this month, and instead of her, Svetlana Kuznetsova will lead the Russian team.
World No.5 Sharapova and No.4 Kuznetsova are very busy, and both have the goal of taking the first spot in the rankings this year. As Sharapova played the last tie, against Israel, now it’s Kuznetsova’s turn. That has been the plan, and it’s fair enough.
The American team has been significantly weakened as neither Venus nor Serena Williams will play against Russia in the 26-27 April tie.
Russia have been the competition’s most consistent team in recent years, winning the trophy on three of the last four occasions.
