Pavlyuchenkova to open for Russia in Fed Cup semis

Moscow: Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will face Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in the opening singles of their Fed Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Maria Kirilenko was nominated to play Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in the second singles on indoor clay at Krylatskoye Ice Stadium

In doubles, which concludes the semi on Sunday, Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina will face the Slovak pair of Magdalena Rybarikova and Jana Cepelova.

Russia beat Slovakia 3-2 in both previous matches and will play in its seventh consecutive semi-final.

Slovakia is appearing in its first semi-final since winning its maiden title in 2002.

The winner will face either the two-time defending champion Czech Republic or Italy in the final on November 2-3.