INQUIRER Sports

MOSCOW -- Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova will represent Russia in the women's singles at the Beijing Olympics, the country's federation chief Shamil Tarpishchev said Monday.

"We can send four single players and two doubles to Beijing," Tarpishchev told the press. "Sharapova and Kuznetsova will definitely play in the women's tournament, while the other girls will fight it out for the two remaining places."

Three times Grand Slam tournament winner Sharapova is set to become one of the biggest names competing in Beijing and is certain to attract huge media attention.

"In the men's squad only Nikolay Davydenko has already gained his pass to the Games, while the other [players] still have chances to qualify. I can say nothing about our doubles for the moment."

"We will announce our final line-ups just before the deadline on June 8," he said.
Tarpishchev also said that Russia will play at full strength in the Fed Cup final.

"I'm really happy that we managed to reach the Fed Cup final and the Davis Cup semi-finals," Tarpishchev said. "I believe both our upcoming matches will be really tough."

"In the Fed Cup final our strongest players will compete against Spain," the Russian tennis boss said.