Petra Kvitova to open Fed Cup final against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova when

“As we are the underdogs, our full concentration will be on the opponent ahead of us and the matches ahead of us and not so much about what is going on around us”.

Sharapova, who has played only four Fed Cup ties in her career, said she was “excited” to face Pliskova. “Definitely it’s very important to have Maria on the team and I want to say thank you”, said Myskina as her team giggled their way through a press conference.

“She’s up and coming, she’s had really good results this year and of course when you don’t know what to expect in a completely new match and in the atmosphere I think it will be about competing… and doing the best that you can”.

In 2008, she missed the triumphant final in Spain because of a right shoulder injury.

In 2011, she was unavailable due to a left ankle injury.

Coincidentally, injury had almost kept her out of the final, starting Saturday.

Russian Federation could go with Ekatarina Makarova or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as the other singles player. At the WTA Finals in Singapore, Kvitova rallied from 1-5 down in the second set to score a 6-3, 7-6 (3) semifinal win over Sharapova.

The final between favorites the Czech Republic and underdog Russian Federation has become a high profile event as top WTA Maria Sharapova makes a surprising appearance in the tournament boosting Russia’s hopes to take the title. “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”.

“Everything I have played after the injuries has been a bonus for my tennis, to see where my health is”, said Sharapova.

With Kvitova and Safarova in the side, the Czechs won their first title as an independent nation in 2011 by beating Russian Federation in Moscow, and retained the trophy the following year.

Sharapova has positive win-loss records against both; 6-4 vs. the sixth-ranked Kvitova, and 4-2 vs. the ninth-ranked Safarova.

Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova were drawn against Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova for Sunday’s doubles.

“It is a bit of a surprise that I haven’t played against her since I’ve been on the tour quite long”.