 Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 06 Feb 2009 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 06 Feb 2009 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 06 Feb 2009 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 06 Feb 2009 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 06 Feb 2009 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 06 Feb 2009 |
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| 06 Feb 2009 - Olympic Stadium, Moscow - Richard van Poortvliet | |
| Russia out and out favourites |
There were no surprises from Russia's captain, Shamil Tarpishchev, as he picked his two strongest singles players, Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova, for the defending champions first round tie with China, as Russia start their bid for what would be a fifth Fed Cup by BNP Paribas crown in six years.
The full draw made on site at the Olympisky Stadium in Moscow, is as follows:
Saturday
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Zi Yan (CHN)
Elena Dementieva (RUS) v Shuai Zhang (CHN)
Sunday
Elena Dementieva (RUS) v Shuai Zhang (CHN)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Zi Yan (CHN)
Anna Chakvetadze/Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) v Tian Tian Sun/Zi Yan (CHN)
Russia so strong
Such is the talent at Shamil Tarpishchev’s disposal, he was able to name his side for the tie with China before the start of the New Year, while the Russian Fed Cup captain was able to rest Dinara Safina who reached the final of last months Australian Open, and Vera Zvonareva who made the semis in Melbourne.
Such a luxury was not afforded his opposite number, Qi Zhang, who was hit by injury and withdrawals of three top 40 players, meaning the Chinese flew into the Russian capital with only three fit players. While the visitors only started training in Moscow on Wednesday evening, as they arrived late because of the Chinese New Year.
Yan Zi, who is China’s top ranked player at 119 in the world, will be first up for the visitors, facing Svetlana Kuznetsova, who’s over 100 places above her in the rankings. With China’s other two players, Zhang Shuai and Sun Tian Tian raked below 270, this could be the Chinese’s best chance of victory, but Zi, who says she’s had a good start to the new season, says the pressure won’t get to her.
“I don’t think I’m under much pressure because the Russian team has so many good players, while their world rankings are so much higher, so I’ll just go out and play.”
"Everything is possible" - Qi Zhang
The second match of Saturday’s opening singles certainly won’t be any easier for the visitors. Zhang Shaui, ranked 273 in the world will go up against Elena Dementieva, who’s only lost one match, against Serena Williams in the semifinal of the Australian Open, in 2009. There may be a massive ranking gap between the two, but the Russian, who mentioned Shuai used to be a good junior player, isn’t underestimating her opponent.
“Playing in the Fed Cup is a very special event, so you always feel under a little bit more pressure, and I’ll just be trying to focus on my game and do what I need to do on the court.”
The two countries have met just once before in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, in 2002. On that occasion Russia ran out 5-0 winners in Beijing, and given the talent of the home side, it’s quite conceivable they can record another whitewash. China’s captain Qi Zhang recognises his team is a massive underdog for the tie, but he still has some cause for optimism, saying:
“Everything is possible”.
Related Links on other websites
> Information in Russian - RTF
> Information in Chinese - CTA
Related Links on Fedcup.com
> Tie Information
Related audio
 Interview with Zi Yan (CHN) - draw day
Interview with Elena Dementieva (RUS) - draw day
Interview with Captain Qi Zhang (CHN) - draw day
 
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