Shamil Tarpischev Coy About Russia’s Fed Cup Game Plan Against USA
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Feb 13, 2008 | Print |
Russian tennis maverick Shamil Tarpischev has not yet picked his team or the surface for Russia’s upcoming Fed Cup semifinal against the United States.
Why? Because he’s waiting to see what the Americans do first.
Zina Garrison still has time to name the squad for what could be her final tie as captain, giving Tarpischev an opportunity to sort out his own game plan.
FedCup.com quotes the Russian captain as saying that his star player will help determine the surface, especially if Venus and Serena Williams plan to compete.
“If we have Kuznetsova we’ll play on clay, with Sharapova it’ll be a hard court,” Tarpischev said.
“Of course, we can also make a last-minute switch depending on who the Americans will bring. If it’s the Williams sisters, almost certainly we’ll pick clay.”
Although Serena Williams did win Roland Garros in 2002, clay is Team USA’s worst surface.
Venus Williams plays respectably on dirt, but has not been past the quarterfinals of the French Open in six years. Lindsay Davenport, who has already volunteered to make the trip to Russia, immensely dislikes the surface and will not be traveling to Paris in May.
Should Tarpischev name Sharapova to the squad, the playing field will immediately level.
Sharapova is admittedly one of the Tour’s best on a hard court, but combined, Venus, Serena, and Lindsay hold nine Grand Slam titles on the surface.
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