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

"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 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....more

(via uk.reuters.com)

Russia plan to have Sharapova back for Fed Cup final