MOSCOW — Maria Sharapova remained on course for the Rio Olympics as the five-time Grand Slam champion was Friday named in Russia’s doubles team for its Fed Cup first-round tie against the Netherlands in Moscow this weekend.
World No. 31 Ekaterina Makarova will take on 106th-ranked Kiki Bertens in the opening singles of the World Group clash on the hardcourt of Moscow’s Olympic indoor arena from 1100 GMT Saturday.
Russia’s two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, 17th in the world, will then face 141st-ranked Richel Hogenkamp.
In Sunday’s reverse singles, Kuznetsova will face off against Bertens and Makarova will then take on Hogenkamp.
Russian team skipper Anastasia Myskina then announced the country’s top-ranked player Sharapova, the world No. 6, will play in the tie’s concluding doubles rubber alongside 18-year-old Darya Kasatkina.
They will face Dutch pair Arantxa Rus and Cindy Burger.
Myskina, the 2004 French Open champion, said that she expected a tough match against the Dutch.
“We’ve prepared well for this match but I expect a very tough opposition this weekend,” Myskina told reporters following the draw. “Netherlands were victorious in their last Fed Cup matches. They’re in good form and brave mood. It’s unlikely to be easy. But I hope we will do enough.”
Sharapova, who is struggling with a forearm injury suffered at last month’s Australian Open, said she wasn’t about to call time on her Fed Cup career.
“Our team is strong and any of our girls are capable of winning their rubbers,” she said. “I don’t know how long I will be able to play tennis but I will definitely continue to play for my country.”
The world’s richest sportswoman will remain on course for this summer’s Olympic Games even if she doesn’t step out on court against the Netherlands.
Under qualification rules, a player must be nominated three times in an Olympic cycle in order to be eligible for the Games in Rio in August.
So far, the 28-year-old star has featured in just two ties since 2012, the year when she won the silver medal at the London Olympics.
France vs. Italy
Kristina Mladenovic will open against Camila Giorgi when France meets Italy in the first round of the Fed Cup Saturday.
In the second singles, Caroline Garcia will take on Italy No. 1 Sara Errani.
After Sunday’s reverse singles, the indoor hard-court tie could be decided by the doubles between Oceane Dodin and Pauline Parmentier against Martina Caregaro and Errani.
Germany vs. Switzerland
Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber will play on the opening day of Germany’s Fed Cup first-round tie against Switzerland’s 15th-ranked Timea Bacsinszky Saturday.
Germany captain Barbara Rittner nominated Andrea Petkovic to open the tie against Swiss No. 1 Belinda Bencic, ranked 11th.
The reverse singles Sunday are followed by the doubles rubber that should see Martina Hingis line up alongside Viktorija Golubic against Annika Beck and Anna-Lena Groenefeld.
The winner faces Romania or the Czech Republic in April’s semifinals. — Agencies
