The Russian Tennis Federation has confirmed that Maria Sharapova will play for her country against Germany in the Fed Cup semi-finals this month . World No 2 Sharapova rarely plays Fed Cup , citing a busy schedule , but will be part of the Russian team facing Germany on April 18-19 in Sochi . Playing in the team event helps her become eligible for next year 's Olympics . Russia captain Anastasia Myskina , a former French Open champion , has also picked Svetlana Kuznetsova , Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina . Maria Sharapova has been confirmed to play for the Russia team in the Fed Cup semi-finals next week . Sharapova ( left ) shakes hands with Dania Gavrilova after losing at the Miami Open last month . The German Tennis Federation said its team would consist of Andrea Petkovic , Angelique Kerber , Sabine Lisicki and Julia Goerges . Four-time champions Russia and two-time winners Germany have met only twice in the Fed Cup since the collapse of the Soviet Union , with each team winning one tie , most recently in 2002 . Andrea Petkovic is part of the Germany Fed Cup team which travels to Sochi next week .
Maria Sharapova will play for Russia in the Fed Cup semi-finals . The Russian has won all four of her matches against Australia this year and is unbeaten on clay at Roland Garros since winning there last year.