We DO NOT KNOW who will play in April, therefore, I'm placing this thread in Other Tournaments. Should Maria play, someone should then open one in Tennis Talk. I have listened to Fed Cup's France-based commentator Eli Weinstein before--he's a bit less biased than the Brits on staff. Still, Eli writes on the FC site:

"Since the first round of last year’s campaign, the Americans have not had a home tie. In the semifinals, however, they will face Russia at a location of their own choice.

"The real question is: with what players will both teams show up? If Russia comes with the big guns, Mary Joe Fernandez might have to get some help from her top players."

http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=12802

What FC staff preferred not to mention was the last time USA hosted Russia on American soil--the semfinal at Stowe VT on '07. Russia arrived with a "B-team" and the US had VENUS WILLIAMS, yet in Petrova & Vesnina's deciding doubles, Team Russia still prevailed!

Victory at Stowe

Kommersant described the tie as the "Ordeal in the Ghost City": US State obligingly employed a bogus visa "issue" to deny Tarpischev entry to the country until less than 48 hours before the tie. The Russian players' cellphones all mysteriously ceased to function. The little country-club locale was plastered with Cold War-looking posters and rhetoric was so foul that doubles specialist Lisa Raymond, blogging from the site for SI, was moved to distance herself from the mentality.

So what'll be the agenda this time? I doubt a replay of Stowe. (You must understand that most of the above was kept outta the sight of most American viewers.) The "Russian mafiya" allegations are a bit threadbare so I'd be surprised if they attacked Shamil again, but I wouldn't put it past 'em to try & screw with players on the Russian team. That's one reason I would encourage Masha to play. Both the sports flacks & their government cronies will fear corporate anger generated by interference with any promotion that involves Sharapova.

As to who will play: Will USTA now trot out the sisters, who may then have little excuse when the tie is at home? Dunno, but there is something about them y'all need to understand--especially since neither they nor the media will talk much about it:

That the Williams sisters are national symbols is unavoidable. They profit from that, yes, but they couldn't avoid it if they wanted. HOWEVER, they will draw the line against any exercise that goes too far in a superpatriotic direction. They have a LEGITIMATE reason in the family's devout identification (particularly Serena & father Richard) with a religious sect that is explicitly anti-nationalist.

These are people who do not salute the flag, pledge allegiance, or serve in the military. This has always been so, even back when legal sanctions were brought to bear. Our law and custom generally respect that sort of thing from recognized religious bodies. Obviously, this places a limit on criticism of the sisters' reticence to lend themselves to national propaganda.

They don't ever bring this up and their application of the principle would appear to be case-by-case. I surmise they don't want to get in a position where they must comment on the tennis establishment's treatment of the international competitions as propaganda exercises. But even I, much as I detest Serena, would defend her rights on this matter.

Maria Sharapova should play at the Fed Cup 2010. A victory of her team will gave a better image of herself in the world of Sport. It is important for her ad. People will tell that Maria Sharapova was here and her team won. It is exactly the same when she played for team Russian in Hong Kong. She was here and the team won. Nadal also helped his team to win the last time.

  

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The former U.S. figure-skating champion; Kwan reminded the children that hard work and persistence are a large part of the success of athletes like herself or Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin or former Wimbeldon champion Maria Sharapova — both Russian natives.
"Keep on working hard, and your dreams — such a great thing — will come true," Kwan said "A lot of my dreams came true."

Yuri Yudkin, 73, was Maria's first coach when she was 4-7. He said. "[Maria] was a very smart girl . . . I never had to repeat instructions twice to her."

http://sochi2014.com/

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The former U.S. figure-skating champion; Kwan reminded the children that hard work and persistence are a large part of the success of athletes like herself or Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin or former Wimbeldon champion Maria Sharapova — both Russian natives.
"Keep on working hard, and your dreams — such a great thing — will come true," Kwan said "A lot of my dreams came true."

Yuri Yudkin, 73, was Maria's first coach when she was 4-7. He said. "[Maria] was a very smart girl . . . I never had to repeat instructions twice to her."

http://sochi2014.com/

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The former U.S. figure-skating champion; Kwan reminded the children that hard work and persistence are a large part of the success of athletes like herself or Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin or former Wimbeldon champion Maria Sharapova — both Russian natives.
"Keep on working hard, and your dreams — such a great thing — will come true," Kwan said "A lot of my dreams came true."

Yuri Yudkin, 73, was Maria's first coach when she was 4-7. He said. "[Maria] was a very smart girl . . . I never had to repeat instructions twice to her."

http://sochi2014.com/

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The former U.S. figure-skating champion; Kwan reminded the children that hard work and persistence are a large part of the success of athletes like herself or Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin or former Wimbeldon champion Maria Sharapova — both Russian natives.
"Keep on working hard, and your dreams — such a great thing — will come true," Kwan said "A lot of my dreams came true."

Yuri Yudkin, 73, was Maria's first coach when she was 4-7. He said. "[Maria] was a very smart girl . . . I never had to repeat instructions twice to her."

http://sochi2014.com/

Hold on. I've never seen THIS picture before--Well, I probably wouldn't have recognized him then but... note who was on Shamil's staff at Ramat Ha'Sharon--Željko Krajan. Now, Krajan had only worked with Safina for about three months at that time. If I'd known who he was, this would have served as STRONG recommendation!

Dartagnan:

 

Maria Sharapova should play at the Fed Cup 2010. A victory of her team will gave a better image of herself in the world of Sport. It is important for her ad.

I would LOVE to see Maria play FedCup. It would be great for her!

Rumor is, Fed Cup will be played either in Austin, Tx or Mobile, Alabama. 

Please play, Maria, please!! 

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OMG. If it's in Austin, I COULD GO!

There is this, too: If they are looking at Austin, it may have to do with a new municipal tennis facility that Roddick has promoted--possibly raising the chance that Masha might play? Stay tuned.

Austin raises the chance for

a Masha - option.

( Austin - the key of the world, Lance lives there

and much other nice people in Texas.

Mention Paul first of all )

I don't know why, but I get a feeling Maria won't play, but if she does then I have to support Russia obviously.  But if Masha is not in the team and Melanie Oudin is playing for the US then I will back the USA, it really depends on who is in the teams lol.  I really hope Team USA stick with Melanie and Bethanie and don't get Venus and Serena!

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SANDRA BULLOCK = Best Actress at the Oscars 2010!!!

If you have a few seconds free, PLEASE go and sign the petition to try and help stop all commercial whaling: http://whaleman.org/index.htm

Maria Sharapova | Novak Djokovic | Jelena Jankovic | Grigor Dimitrov | Kim Clijsters | Rafael Nadal | Elena Dementieva |
Andy Roddick | Laura Robson | Fernando Verdasco | Maria Kirilenko | Lleyton Hewitt | Melanie Oudin.

 I really hope Team USA stick with Melanie and

Bethanie and don't get Venus and Serena!

AGREE !!!

I really hope it's in Austin b/c I live there, and I have never seen Maria play live.

 Do we know when Maria will make a decision to play? 

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katmilr:

I really hope it's in Austin b/c I live there, and I have never seen Maria play live.

 Do we know when Maria will make a decision to play? 

Really? Well then Howdy, neighbor. If the tie goes down in Austin, believe that I'll come up for it! No matter who plays.

Tarpischev won't announce anything before April, I'm sure. However, he doesn't seem to have much problematic on his plate right now. (Kafelnikov's exo in Moscow & the Davis Cup tie with India--also in Moscow in early March.) So I imagine he's already working on the question. I feel that Shamil needs at least two top players in the States and Maria seems only logical as she resides here--among other considerations.

There are a few imponderables, like whether Safina might be back in action by that time. But it would not surprise me if he's raised the matter of the composite to the top Russians (and their people already). Still, I don't expect to hear anything before early April.

We should've guessed USTA would think rednecked KKK-territory is more "patriotic". Couldn't have it in a town that might actually be POLITE to Russian guests--oh no. Gotta go with the good ol' down-home, country-fried haters. One thing about it: our Euro-brat friends here are sure gonna get their eyes opened to what Mel Oudin's core constituency are really about!

17 Feb 2010
USA to host Russia in Birmingham
The USTA has announced that Birmingham, Alabama will host the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinal between USA and Russia. The tie will be staged at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena on 24-25 April. USA booked its place in the last four with a 4-1 victory over France in the first round in Lievin. Melanie Oudin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the opening three singles rubbers to give the Americans an unassailable lead. “We are very excited to have earned this home tie and are thrilled to choose a community that is rampant in its love for tennis,” said Mary Joe Fernandez, USA’s Fed Cup captain. “The city of Birmingham offered the U.S. Davis Cup team tremendous support last year, and we look forward to playing in front of the same enthusiastic and patriotic crowd as we try to reach our second consecutive Fed Cup Final.” In 2009, Fernandez led the American team to the Final in her first year as captain. Having defeated Argentina and Czech Republic, USA eventually lost to a strong Italian side that claimed its second title. “After the amazing success of last year's Davis Cup tie, we are excited to once again play host to a prestigious international tennis event,” said William Bell, Mayor of Birmingham. “This continues to legitimise our City's reputation as one of the premier hosts of world-class sporting events. The estimated direct economic impact to the City via tax revenue is $4 million with an estimated overall impact of up to $15 million in sales, lodging and use taxes. “We look forward to rolling out the red carpet for tennis enthusiasts around the country and giving them a taste of what Birmingham has to offer.” USA and Russia have met on seven previous occasions, with the Americans currently holding a 4-3 head-to-head advantage. The Russians, however, have won the last three fixtures. USA is the most successful Fed Cup nation having been crowned champion 17 times, although its last victory was back in 2000. Russia, on the other hand, has been more prolific in recent times, winning the title four times since 2004. Tickets will go on sale during the week beginning Monday 8 March and can be purchased over the phone or online. > Phone: +1 (888) 334-8782 > Web: usta.com/fedcup http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=12814

Howdy Paul!

Can't believe they picked Alabama, AGAIN.  Last year for the Davis Cup for US and Switzerland they had to choose between San Antonio, Tx and Birmingham Alabama. And chose Alabama.Man, they must really hate Texas or something.

Whatever I'm still cheering for Russia. Plus, I don't like Melanie Oudin she's over hyped. 

 

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