MOSCOW, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Tennis Federation president said Friday that France's 2005 Fed Cup finalist Mary Pierce would probably play in Saturday's Kremlin Cup instead of American player Venus Williams.
Shamil Tarpishchev said the women's games at the Moscow tournament would feature strong players making it difficult for last year's winner Anastasia Myskina of Russia to repeat her success.
"Myskina does have chances," Tarpishchev said. "Things will be clearer after the drawing."
Tarpishchev said another Cup favorite, 2004 world champion Maria Sharapova, would also have a tough time playing in Moscow.
"Playing in Moscow will be extremely difficult for Sharapova. People here are expecting too much from her," he said.
Tarpishchev said he had high hopes for young Russian players Dinara Safina, men's star Marat Safin's younger sister, who performed brilliantly at the 2005 Fed Cup finals and Vera Dushevina.
