Ivanovic in the third round of the Australian Open, debuted in this season. Zvonareva decided to skip this match for Pattaya, where she would win the tournament. Dementieva headed the Russian team, the other players being Kuznetsova, Chakvetadze and Kleybanova. Russia crushed the Chinese, 5–0. The last rubber was the only one to be played in three sets. In the semifinals, Russia met Italy. The team was announced on 15 April; it consisted of Zvonareva, Kuznetsova, Petrova and Chakvetadze. Zvonareva could not participate due to ankle injury. Debutants Pavlyuchenkova and Kleybanova were nominated as alternates for Zvonareva, as at most four players could be called. One hour before the draw, the alternate was still not determined, but Kleybanova has been eventually removed. Russia lost four out of five rubbers, with Kuznetsova winning the only rubber. Sports commentator Anna Dmitrieva said, that nominating Chakvetadze was an error. Notwithstanding the loss, Russia stayed in the top rankings for now, but after the Italians defeat of the Americans in the final, they replaced Russia from the throne. Team Russia in the upcoming match of the new season against Serbia was not made up of the leading tennis players Safina, Kuznetsova, Dementieva and Zvonareva, with the last two having injuries. Tarpishchev announced the new team consisting of Kleybanova, Pavlyuchenkova, Dushevina and Makarova. A few days before the start, Kuznetsova jumped in. Team Russia consisting only of Kleybanova and Kuznetsova defeated Serbia in Belgrade, after coming back from 1–2. In April, Russia was to play against the United States. The fact that the match would be played in the United States introduced visa problems for the captain. Pavluychenkova, Zvonareva and Kleybanova could not participate due to injuries. Dementieva and Makarova were ready to play for the team. Due to volcanic dust, the draw was expected to be moved two days later, but the situation has been stabilized. In the deciding doubles rubber, Russia lost to the Americans, 2–3. 2014–2015: New coaching staff The 2014 season saw a change in the team leadership. Tarpishchev as an IOC member assisted in the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, and so could not continue heading the Russian team. Anastasia Myskina was elected new captain of the Fed Cup team, after alternate Larisa Savchenko's Latvian citizenship became an obstacle. The new squad against Australia was announced on 30 January 2014. Those were Victoria Kan, Irina Khromacheva, Valeria Solovyeva