Sharapova to miss Fed Cup semis

Maria Sharapova will not play for Russia in their Fed Cup semi-final against the USA in Moscow next month.

Sharapova won both rubbers on her long-awaited debut against Israel last month, but Svetlana Kuznetsova will lead Russia in the 26-27 April tie.

Captain Shamil Tarpishchev said it was a long-standing arrangement.

"We had an agreement with Kuznetsova and Sharapova that one of them would play against Israel and the other against the US," said Tarpishchev.

"Sharapova had already played in Tel Aviv, so now it's Kuznetsova's turn. It was sort of a trade-off because both of them have very busy schedules.

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"They have to juggle individual tournaments with the Fed Cup. It's not easy as both Kuznetsova and Sharapova are also hoping to become the world number one this year.

"Besides, this is an Olympic year, so it's even more difficult to fit in all your commitments. So I'm very thankful to all our girls for their support of the team's cause."

The USA will be without Serena and Venus Williams in a side spearheaded by rejuvenated former world number one Lindsay Davenport.

Russia have been the competition's most consistent team in recent years, winning the trophy on three of the last four occasions.

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