MOSCOW(AP) Maria Sharapova will lead Russia in its Fed Cup first-round match against France next season.
Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev, who is also the Fed Cup captain, says Sharapova has agreed to play in the competition for the first time since making her debut in Russia's 4-1 first-round victory over Israel in 2008.
Tarpischev said at a news conference Tuesday that Sharapova had fully recovered from the problems with her shoulder and could challenge for the No. 1 ranking again.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, former top-ranked player Dinara Safina, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will also be on the team for the match on the hard courts at the Olympic indoor stadium Feb. 5-6.