Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Despite the strong Spanish lineup, Russia goes into the weekend's Fed Cup quarterfinal as clear favorite, a confident Maria Sharapova said Wednesday.

"The Spanish team is strong but we're the favorites for the match regardless," Sharapova said after practice on the hard courts of Moscow's Olympiisky Sports Complex, where the match will take place.

The International Olympic Committee has announced that world number one Justine Henin, 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo, and four-time Grand Slam winner Arantxa Sanchez Vicario have been nominated for the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

Created in 1981, the Athletes’ Commission is the link between active athletes and the IOC. The Commission is composed of active and retired athletes, holds at least one meeting each year and meets regularly with the IOC Executive Board, to which it issues recommendations.