Russia plan to have Sharapova back for final

Holders Russia will recall Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova for the Fed Cup final against Spain in September, the Russia captain said.

"I had a prior agreement with Sharapova for her to play in the final," Shamil Tarpishchev told Reuters after his team beat the United States 3-2 in their semi-final in Moscow on Sunday to book a place in the final for the fourth time in five years.

"Of course, it all could change by September with injuries or lost form but at least for now, she is in the team."

The Florida-based Sharapova made her long-awaited Fed Cup debut against Israel in February and won both of her singles matches to lead Russia to a 4-1 quarter-final victory.

The world number three was given permission to skip the semi-final, with world number four Svetlana Kuznetsova leading the home team against the Americans.

Tarpishchev said the Russians would bring their strongest team to Spain, who overcame China 4-1 in the other semi-final.

"We should have both Sharapova and Kuznetsova in the line-up. I might even have them play doubles together," he said.

"I must say I was a bit surprised to see Spain beat China in Beijing, but as far as our team is concerned it doesn't really matter who we play in the final. We're still the favourites."

Tarpishchev paired Kuznetsova with Elena Vesnina for the dead doubles rubber against the United States.

"I'm trying various combinations not only for the Fed Cup but also keeping in mind the Beijing Olympics," he said.

"I just want to see what's working and what's not."

Sharapova and Kuznetsova had been at odds, talking openly about their dislike for each other in the past, but have since patched up their differences.

Kuznetsova, who spends much of her time in Barcelona and speaks fluent Spanish, was asked whether she would rather have faced China than Spain.

"Well, you always want to play the final in front of the home fans and if we faced China we would have played in Moscow, but Spain is like a second home to me so I don't mind playing there either," she said.