Reigning champions Italy will start as underdogs against Russia this weekend when they meet for a place in this year's Fed Cup final on the hardcourts of Moscow's Megasport indoor arena. The two countries have dominated the premier women's team competition in recent times winning all seven titles contested since 2004, with Russia triumphant in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008 and Italy taking the prize in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
Italian hopes, however, have been badly hit by the absence of their top players. Flavia Pennetta, who is 20th in the WTA rankings, will miss the match in Moscow because of an injury, while world number four, the reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, opted out to better prepare for the clay-court season.
Roberta Vinci, who is currently 37th in the world and Sara Errani, who is 43rd, have been drafted in and they will need to go up against a powerful Russian line-up. They will have backing from Maria Elena Camerin and Alberta Brianti, who is making her Fed Cup debut at the age of 31.