China pins Fed Cup hopes in Zheng

BEIJING, April 25 (UPI) -- China, anchored by Jie Zheng, who is set to play three times this weekend, goes against Spain in search of a first trip to the finals of the Federation Cup.

Spain has five Fed Cup titles to its credit, although it hasn't won the tournament since 1998. China has never advanced to a title series but is favored against the Spanish team in a best-of-five series this weekend. The matches are to be played on an indoor hard court in Beijing.

Zheng is scheduled to go against Nuria Llagostera Vives in singles play Saturday, and China's Shuai Peng, at No. 68 the highest -anked player in the series, is to play Carla Suarez Navarro.

The singles switch Sunday with Peng playing Llagostera Vives and Zheng paired against Suarez Navarro.

Zheng is also scheduled for the doubles match Sunday, teaming with Zi Yan against Spaniards Arantxa Parra Santonja and Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez.

China has a 1-0 Fed Cup series edge on Spain but the teams haven't met since a consolation match in 1982.

The Spain-China winner meets the winner of a U.S.-Russia semifinal in Moscow, in the 2008 Fed Cup finals in September.