Angelique Kerber Win Boosts Germany's Fed Cup Semifinal Hopes

Germany's Fed Cup captain Barbara Rittner is mulling her options for the Fed Cup clash against Russia this weekend after strong performances from Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic in Charleston.

The Germans face Russia in Sochi for a place in November's final, with France and the Czech Republic meeting in the other semifinal.

Russia's hopes are boosted by a rare Fed Cup appearance from world number two Maria Sharapova, but Germany have an in-form quartet in Sabine Lisicki, Julia Goerges, plus Kerber and Petkovic, who are both ranked in the world's top 15.

Kerber won Charleston's WTA tournament in South Carolina last weekend after beating her Fed Cup team-mate Petkovic in the semi-finals, and the German pair are only expected to arrive in Sochi, Russia, early on Wednesday morning to prepare for the semi-final.

"They have played a lot and put in some good tennis recently. So we have to see how they get over the jet-lag in the next few days," said Rittner.

"I have all my options available and four very good individual players.

"I'd like to wait until after the next few days of training to see how they all feel."

Russia will host Germany in the same hall where the speed skating competition was held at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Germany are bidding to reach the Fed Cup final for the second year running and if they are successful in Sochi will host the final.