After being brutally whipped by American Venus Williams at Wimbledon last week, suddenly Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova don't want to play their Fed Cup tie against Williams and the American team this week, claiming they are suddenly "injured." Now THAT is Russian patriotism for you. Sharapova was in a real nightmare scenario; she'd have to play against the country she lives in, where she learned her game, on its own soil. That would make everyone in America hate her guts. Then, she'd probably get blown off the court again by a Williams sister, and humiliate Russia, causing Russians to despise her equally. Her answer? Run away. It's a common Russian solution. Fox News reports:

WORLD No.2 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Russia team to face the US in the Fed Cup semi-finals this weekend. "She said she is injured so she will not play," Russia Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev said. LR: Note the coach does not say she IS injured, only that she SAYS she is. Sharapova, who was soundly beaten by eventual champion Venus Williams in the fourth round at Wimbledon last week, has been suffering from a persistent shoulder injury since April. The US Open champion will be replaced in the Russia team by World No.58 Elena Vesnina. Russia, the defending champion, may also lose world No.4 Svetlana Kuznetsova. The 2004 US Open champion also has a nagging shoulder injury. "Kuznetsova is a long shot," Tarpishchev said. "If her shoulder improves in the next couple of days then she'll play." World No.66 Alla Kudryavtseva has been put on standby to replace Kuznetsova. Kudryavtseva, 19, took Venus Williams to three sets in the first round at Wimbledon before losing 2-6 6-3 7-5. Nadia Petrova and Anna Chakvetadze, both ranked in the world top 10, make up the rest of the Russia team. The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, will lead the host nation, teaming with Lisa Raymond and Vania King.