Teams from Czech Republic and Russia look ahead to this weekend's (14th/15th November) World Group Fed Cup final in Prague.

As the Czech Republic and Russia prepare to face off this weekend in the final of the Fed Cup, the players were hard at work on the practice courts on Friday.

Defending champions Czech Republic are looking for their fourth Fed Cup title in five years but are unlikely to find it easy against a tough Russian side, who last won in 2008.

Playing on home turf in Prague, world number six Petra Kvitova will lead the Czech challenge in the opening singles on Saturday, when she will play the in-form Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Kvitova has an impressive Fed Cup record with 20 wins out of 22 matches played, and she's feeling confident:

SOUNDBITE (English): Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic (on opening for Czech Republic):

"I think as the first player in the team I think there's always a little bit more pressure on you than normal. I have my good record in the Fed Cup (20 wins from 22 matches) and on the other side I think it has given me more confidence because I know I can play well in the Fed Cup. That has always helped me to step on the court, not only playing for myself but for the Czech flag and for the girls on the bench, so it's always a great feeling."

Saturday's second singles match will see Maria Sharapova, playing in her first Fed Cup final, against Karolina Pliskova, who was controversially chosen over Lucie Safarova.

The World Number 4 is grateful to be involved.

SOUNDBITE (English): Maria Sharapova, Russia:

"Well for me the biggest positive is that I am healthy and that I am able to compete at this stage of the year. It was a rough few months for me after Wimbledon, so to be able to be part of two big events, like in Singapore (WTA Finals) and here back to back, I feel like I am on a good way towards the beginning of next year and I think it's the biggest positive for me."
She'll play Kvitova in Sunday's reverse singles, in what could potentially be the decisive third match.