Events / Editor / 21 July 2007 /

Russia will face Italy in the 45th Fed Cup final with the betting markets likely to favour the home side for the Moscow clash.

The two-time winners have an excellent pedigree in this tournament and with their strength in depth, look like the team to beat in front of their home fans.

Even without the likes of Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva, the Russian squad looks very powerful. Nadia Petrova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anna Chakvetadze are likely to feature and they are expected to dominate the betting for the opening rubbers.

The 2004 and 2005 champions have beaten Spain and pre-tournament betting favourites USA on their way to the final and a showdown with Italy at the 6,500-seater Luzhniki Small Sports Arena.

The visitors meanwhile, have defeated China and France on their way to the showpiece event - which takes between on September 15-16.

Italy are one of only four nations to have participated in every Fed Cup since its introduction in 1963, but their final odds reflect the fact they have won the event just once in 2006. That victory though came against the odds in Charleroi against a strong Belgian side, and some punters will be tempted into a bet on Italy to pull off another surprise.

Last year's victory though proved they are an up and coming tennis nation, with Francesca Schiavone, Mara Santangelo, Tathiana Garbin among their squad. All three are currently in the top 30 of the world singles rankings and will pose a real threat to Russia's attempts to win a third title.

Betting customers should take note that Russia have won all three previous meetings against Italy in Fed Cup, including a 4-1 World Group first round victory in Brindisi in 2005.

That loss was Italy's last defeat in the competition though, before the team's current six-match winning streak that led to victory in last year's final and got them to this year's last two.

Those having a Fed Cup final bet might also be interested to know that electronic line-calling system Hawk-Eye and player challenges will be used for the first time in the event. A change of call can have a major bearing on a match and in the process, the Fed Cup betting.

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