 Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 01 Feb 2008 |
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| 31 Jan 2008 - Canada Stadium, Ramat Hasharon - Eli Weinstein | |
| Rookie Sharapova makes Fed Cup debut |
The draw has neen been made for this weekend's World Group 1st round tie in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas between Israel and Russia with the order of play as follows.
Saturday
Shahar Peer (ISR) v Dinara Safina (RUS)
Tzipi Obziler (ISR) v Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Sunday
Shahar Peer (ISR) v Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Tzipi Obziler (ISR) v Dinara Safina (RUS)
Tzipi Obziler/Shahar Peer (ISR) v Anna Chakvetadze/Elena Vesnina (RUS)
The star attraction
If no injuries occur between now and Saturday afternoon, Maria Sharapova will make her Fed Cup by BNP Paribas debut.
This tie is a big first for many reasons. Obviously the main one and by far the loudest and flashiest, is the presence of Maria Sharapova. The 2008 Australian Open champion will for the first time in her already distinguished career put on the national uniform and play for her country.
In last year's Fed Cup by BNP Paribas final between Russia and Italy in Moscow, Sharapova helped out the team as a sparing partner. Not being able to serve due to injury, the tall blond Russian with an American accent got a taste of Fed Cup tennis; “I loved the atmosphere at the finals with the crowd and the intensity of play and I can’t wait to get out there”, said Sharapova. This time she is fit and healthy and raring to go. Alongside her is world No. 7 Anna Chakvetadze, world No. 16 Dinara Safina and No. 53 Elena Vesnina.
Underdogs are ready to roar
The other huge first in this weekends tie, is the presence of Israel in the World Group. Never has this country gone so high and it is for them and their captain an outstanding achievement. Led on by Shahar Peer, ranked world No. 17 and recent Australian Open women’s doubles runner-up, Israel understands and accepts its position as an underdog, but has the belief that something could happen. “We are very excited of being in the World Group after a long wait, but we want to beat the Russians”, says Peer.
With the huge home nation support in the Canada Stadium, Ramat Hasharon, the Russian’s will definitely be given a good run for their money when the action gets underway on Saturday.
Related Links on other websites
> Information from the ITA
> Information from RTF
Related Links on Fedcup.com
> Tie Information
Related audio
 Interview with Shahar Peer (ISR)
Interview with Maria Sharapova (RUS)
 
Update media player above.
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