Maria Sharapova will look to put her best foot forward in the Fed Cup final against Czech Republic and bring home the trophy, just like she did seven years back.
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Her rare appearance for the country of birth is a boost for Russia as they look to take the crown from defending champions Czech Republic at the indoor hard-court of Prague’s O2 Arena.
“It’s definitely a very new experience,” Sharapova said. “I’ve been part of the team on different occasions but never in the final. “Having me as part of the team is really exciting, and I hope we can have a good weekend.”
The world No. 4 added that despite her presence in the team, Russia are not the favourites.
“This is a great way to finish off the year. Playing two of the best players in the top 10 will be a great opportunity and a great challenge. We are going into this final as underdogs,” she said.
Sharapova won all four of her previous Fed Cup ties – all in the first round. She had earlier missed 2008’s triumphant final in Spain because of a shoulder injury.
In 2011, she was unavailable due to a left ankle injury. This year, Sharapova is keen to qualify for the Rio Olympics and registered two wins in the first round defeat of Poland but missed the semi-final win over Germany because of a leg injury.
Coincidentally, injury had nearly kept her out of the final, starting Saturday. Sharapova was out with a leg injury after losing in the Wimbledon semis.
On her comeback, she retired in her first match at Wuhan Open but made it to the semi-finals at the WTA Finals in Singapore.
“It was just really great for me to be playing competitive matches again,” Sharapova said of the WTA Finals. “I didn’t know how my body would hold up, and it was a really great week to have three victories there and have another chance to maybe play two more matches here.
Our team. Answering some tough questions at the press conference @FedCup @MariaSharapova @NastiaPav @katemakarova1 pic.twitter.com/g6V6gXaJ06
— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) November 11, 2015
“Everything I have played after the injuries has been a bonus for my tennis, to see where my health is.”
However, Sharapova’s task is cut out as the Czechs have become a formidable force. They clinched their third Fed Cup title in four years last November by beating Germany in the final in Prague, and have all their top stars available, led by Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova.
With Kvitova and Safarova in the side, the Czechs won their first title as an independent nation in 2011 by beating Russia in Moscow, and retained the trophy the following year.
Sharapova has positive win-loss records against both Kvitova (6-4) and Safarova (4-2) but has lost to both this year.
“I know how difficult opponents they are, it will be a great challenge for me,” Sharapova said. “Both meetings, I have lost in quite tough matches.”
The Czechs will also be banking on Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova, while Russia have Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Ekaterina Makarova, and doubles specialist Elena Vesnina in their side.
