The 20-year-old will spearhead the opening round of Russia's Fed Cup defence away to Israel in the February 2-3 World Group tie.

Having lived in Florida since the age of seven while pursuing a tennis career, her commitment to Russia has often been questioned.

But she said it was only injuries and illness that had stopped her from playing in the teams event much earlier.

'Fingers crossed this will be the first time after a Grand Slam that I don't get sick or injured,' she said after beating Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 6-3.

'I'm so excited about the opportunity (of playing in the Fed Cup).' Sharapova insisted she was still proud of her Russian heritage.

'If I didn't have this career, I'd probably be back home in Russia in college right now, like one of my friends that I grew up with back there,' she said. -- AFP