Germany to face Russia in their first ever Fed Cup tie . Serbian Ana Ivanovic , ranked 15 , will lead campaign against injury - hit Russia . The former world No . 1 is hoping to make a comeback after career injuries . In the absence of world No.2 Sharapova and 10th-ranked Zvonareva , Russian captain Shamil Tarpishchev has turned to two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova , as well as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova , Maria Kirilenko and Elena Vesnina . Czech Republic will face Italy in opposing semifinal , with Petra Kvitova hoping to return to form .
Germany to face Russia in their first ever Fed Cup tie . Serbian Ana Ivanovic , ranked 15 , will lead campaign against injury - hit Russia . The former world No . 1 is hoping to make a comeback after career injuries . Czech Republic will face Italy in opposing semifinal , with Petra Kvitova hoping to return to form .