In a strategic move, Russia’s Maria Kirilenko was named to face the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova in the opening rubber of the Fed Cup final, which gets underway at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow on Saturday. Kirilenko, who has had her one of her best seasons to date and has played very well in the fall, was chosen after top Russian Vera Zvonareva pulled out at the last minute because of a shoulder injury.
No. 19 Svetlana Kuznetsova moved up to the No. 1 spot for Russia, and Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev picked No. 27-ranked Kirilenko over No. 15 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has been in a bit of a slump. Elena Vesnina was picked to replace Zvonareva in the line-up, but will likely only see action in doubles. Kuznetsova will face Lucie Safarova in the second match.
Tarpischev described his decision as tactical, as Kirilenko is 2-0 against Kvitova, but both those wins came in 2009. Kirilenko talked about herself in the third person during the press conference and said: "with respect to Maria Kirilenko, she says she is feeling really well right now."
If the tie is live after the reverse singles on Sunday, Kirilenko could also get the call in doubles as she is ranked No. 7 and just missed out of the WTA Championships. Vesnina always enjoys a solid doubles ranking and is currently No. 10. However, the Czechs boast Kveta Peschke, ranked No. 2, and the big-serving Lucie Hradecka, ranked No. 15.
In related news, Kvitova has won the 2011 BNP Paribas Fed Cup Heart Award in recognition of her performance during her country’s semifinal victory against Belgium in April, Kvitova was presented with a check for $10,000, which will be donated to her chosen charity of Help The Children.