New Delhi: Maria Sharapova will face Tzipi Obziler in her Federation Cup debut when defending champions Russia play Israel in the first round this weekend.
The Australian Open champion was drawn to face Obziler in the second singles of the best-of-five tie.
Dinara Safina will play Shahar Peer in the opening match later on Saturday with the reverse singles and doubles matches scheduled for Sunday.
Injury concerns forced Sharapova out of the ties with Belgium in 2006, the opening match of the 2007 campaign against Spain, and the July semi-final against the United States.
Israel are riding on a wave of tennis euphoria after Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich captured the men's doubles title at the Australian Open, while Peer was runner-up in the women's doubles with Belarus' Victoria Azarenka.
"Well it's wonderful. You know, I have so much experience as a tennis player because I've played so many matches and tournaments in my career, but I've never played in Fed Cup before so it's actually, you know, kind of strange because I feel I'm a rookie going into this," Sharapova said about her tie.
"But I'm also one of the favourites you know, to win the matches. I'm really looking forward to the experience. This is.... it's been one of my priorities since the beginning of the year. I've always wanted to be a part of this team competition, and I really look forward to it," she said.
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