Kuznetsova opens Russia's Fed Cup tie with Germany

Svetlana Kuznetsova will face Julia Goerges in Saturday's opening rubber of the Fed Cup World Group semi-final clash between the hosts Russia and Germany after Friday's draw.

Kuznetsova, Russia's leading player and the world number 24, has 26 wins so far in the competition. She has a chance to become Russia's most successful player in Fed Cup history if she wins just one more rubber.

She will be followed on court by team-mate Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 38th in the WTA rankings, who will face Germany's world number 19 Sabine Lisicki in the second singles.

In Sunday's reverse singles, Kuznetsova will first play against Lisicki and Pavlyuchenkova is then due to face Goerges.

In Sunday's last rubber Elena Vesnina and Vera Zvonareva, a replacement for injured Maria Sharapova, will play Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic in the doubles.

The match at the red clay courts of Adler Arena will be the fifth meeting between the two nations. Russia holds a 3-1 lead in the head-to-head but Germany won the last meeting 3-2 in the 2002 World Group first round.

The winner will face either Czech Republic or France in the final.

Draw made on Friday for this weekend's Fed Cup World Group semi-final tie between Russia and Germany at Adler Arena in Sochi:

Saturday (from 1100 GMT)

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Julia Goerges (GER)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Sabine Lisicki (GER)

Sunday (from 1000 GMT)

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Sabine Lisicki (GER)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Julia Goerges (GER)

Elena Vesnina/Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v Angelique Kerber/Andrea Petkovic (GER)
Source: AFP