Kuznetsova to lead Russia in Fed Cup final v Italy

MOSCOW, Sept 3 (Reuters) World number four Svetlana Kuznetsova will lead a powerful Russian team in this month's Fed Cup final against champions Italy.

Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev today named the 2004 US Open champion along with world number six Anna Chakvetadze, world number eight Nadia Petrova and 56th-ranked Elena Vesnina for the Sept.

15-16 final at Moscow's Luzhniki arena.

Tarpishchev did not include world number two and 2006 US Open champion Maria Sharapova, who pulled out of the July semi-final against the United States citing a shoulder injury.

''I feel it just wouldn't be right to invite Sharapova this time,'' Tarpishchev said after Russia beat a strong US team, led by Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, 3-2 in Vermont.

With both Sharapova and Kuznetsova out injured, Chakvetadze, Petrova and Vesnina all played a key role in that victory.

Twice champions Russia are the favourites to beat last year's surprise winners Italy and regain the title they won in 2004 and 2005.

REUTERS PY KN2148