Last year's Fed Cup finalists Russia begin their 2012 campaign against an experienced Spanish side.
This tie has the potential to be just a tad one-sided. Russia have an abundance of talent in their team and they don't even have their strongest line-up (Vera Zvonareva isn't available).
Australian Open finalist Maria Sharapova spearheads her country's 2012 challenge on a fast indoor hard court in Moscow. Sharapova's Fed Cup record is fairly dismal and she was dropped from last year's first round tie against France after day one. However her form in Melbourne was brilliant and she should be hot favourite to win both singles rubbers.
Russian Shamil Tarpischev has a slightly tricky decision to make over who should play the second singles. Ekaterina Makarova was in the form of her life in Melbourne, beating Serena Williams on the way to the quarters but two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova is vastly more experienced in the competition.
Spain's hopes rest with the wily Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. The 29 year old won all her rubbers in 2011 to help her country gain promotion from World Group II.
However it's hard to see where else they're going to pick up points. Carla Suarez Navarro has a wealth of talent but is inconsistent and Arantxa Parra-Santonja and Nuria Llagostera Vives both languish outside the world's top 100.
