Russia will be missing Maria Sharapova and maybe their coach for this weekend's Fed Cup semi-final against the United States while defending champions Italy face a daunting task against France.
World number two Sharapova has pulled out of the US clash in Stowe, Vermont saying she was not match fit having initially agreed to make her Fed Cup debut in the hardcourt semi. Sharapova has been suffering with a shoulder injury since April but Russian tennis officials have accused her of being selfish and questioned whether her American entourage had influenced the decision. Russia's Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev could also be forced to miss the tie after he said he had been denied a US visa.
Tarpishchev has asked the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to move the tie to a neutral country and even considered boycotting the event. "The Americans always like to talk about human rights and democracy but they are the first ones to deny others the same rights," he told Reuters.
A spokesperson for the US embassy in Moscow said Tarpishchev's visa application was being processed by US authorities in Washington. By contrast, the American team are on a high after Venus Williams triumphed at Wimbledon for the fourth time on Sunday, beating Sharapova on the way.
Venus and sister Serena are both likely to compete despite picking up injuries at the All England Club, with Lisa Raymond and Vania King making up the quartet. In the other semi on Castellaneta Marina's clay, France visit Iedon singles runners-up Marion Bartoli after captain Georges Goven turned down her request to be accompanied by her father and coach, Walter.
Goven picked Amelie Mauresmo, who lost her Wimbledon crown when she was beaten by Nicole Vaidisova in the fourth round, as well as Tatiana Golovin, Nathalie Dechy and Severine Bremond.
Italy, who hammered China 5-0 in the Fed Cup quarters in April, know they will have to play substantially better than they did at Wimbledon if they are to have the chance of defending their title in the final in September.
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