Russia’s tennis boss Shamil Tarpischev has announced his team  for the upcoming Fed Cup final tie against Spain. Though traditionally Russia has the best selection pool when it comes to Fed Cup, it seems Russia’s captain had to be satisfied with a second-string team. World number 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova will lead the team comprised of world number 10 and Beijing bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva, 56th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova and number 71 Elena Vesnina.

Elena Dementieva, and Dinara Safina are somewhat exhausted after their recent sucesses in Olympics and US Open, Anna Chakvetadze can’t find her form after the horrific robbery attack, and Maria Sharapova is out with a shoulder injury.

“This is the best team we could assemble at the moment. Dementieva and Safina have a real chance to become world number one so we have to give them a break,” Tarpischev said.

Maria Sharapova manages somehow to stay in the spotlight even though she is skipping this year’s US Open due to a shoulder injury. Shape has a story on how the tennis pro stays active off the court.

Want to get Maria’s bling? Enter to win a diamond-studded Canon PowerShot.

Russians dominate.

WTA Top 10 Rankings (August 25, 2008)

1. Ana Ivanovic - Serbia - 3612

2. Jelena Jankovic - Serbia - 3515

3. Serena Williams - United States - 3341

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Russia - 3181

5. Maria Sharapova - Russia - 3131

6. Elena Dementieva - Russia - 3070

7. Dinara Safina - Russia - 3047

8. Venus Williams - United States - 2586

9. Anna Chakvetadze - Russia - 2230

10. Vera Zvonareva - Russia - 2117

Marketing Daily reports that Canon readies new Sharapova ad for the US Open debut (even though Maria’s participation in the event is not confirmed yet due to her shoulder injury).

“…The new TV spot for Canon PowerShot, featuring tennis star Maria Sharapova and her dog Dolce, shows fans with Elph cameras approaching the player and asking to take a picture. Unfortunately, the picture they want (to her growing chagrin) is of her dog, Dolce.

The TV spot will break on the first day of the Aug. 25-Sept. 7 tournament and run for its duration on USA Network and CBS. And the tennis star will unveil five diamond-encrusted Canon PowerShot Elph cameras during an invitation-only event at “Canon Center Court” on Aug. 20 at South Street Seaport.“

The  No 3-ranked Maria Sharapova has announced on her site that she is pulling out of the Beijing Olympics and the US Open because of her injured right shoulder.

“It hurts me so much to miss the Olympics and the U.S. Open, you have no idea,” she said. “Just to type those words hurt!!” Sharapova said she would go to Arizona to work with a specialist for rehabilitation and strength work. She hopes to be ready  to play again in  two to three months.

This must be really hard for her–especially missing the Olympics. My impression was that she really, really wanted to play for Russia in Beijing. It could also greatly contribute to her image promotion in the world.

Forbes has released its list of the Top-Earning Athletes of the Beijing Olympics. Roger Federer ranks at 4, whereas Maria Sharapova is No. 7.

Roger Federer

Estimated annual income: $35 million

Federer has racked up 12 Grand Slam titles and some $40 million in prize money alone since hitting the pro tour eight years ago. He has a 10-year deal with Nike, signed in 2007, is one of the longest commitments the company has ever done. Federer has also had his own cologne line since 2003. It’s still possible his tournament schedule could preclude his playing in Beijing.

Maria Sharapova

Estimated annual income: $26 million

There’s nothing like the combination of talent and sex appeal to turn yourself into a sports marketing juggernaut. Sharapova’s endorsement portfolio includes Sony, Pepsi, Colgate-Palmolive, Nike and Motorola.

Young, famous, rich, AND outspoken.

Russian tennis star and Goodwill Ambassador of the UN Development Program Maria Sharapova will visit Chernobyl this summer to draw attention to problems still facing the regions worst hit by the 1986 nuclear disaster. (Ria Novosti).

Maria Sharapova has made an appearance on CBS’ Late Show last night, where David Letterman presented her with a can of tennis balls with a bow on it. World No. 3 Sharapova was in New York to celebrate her 21st birthday. If you missed the show, you still can check it out at Down the Line.

World number four Svetlana Kuznetsova will lead Russia’s Fed Cup team in next month’s semi-final against the United States in Moscow.

“We had an agreement with Kuznetsova and Sharapova that one of them would play against Israel and the other against the US,” Tarpishchev said. “Sharapova had already played in Tel Aviv, so now it’s Kuznetsova’s turn. It was sort of a trade-off because both of them have very busy schedules.

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