The Russian Tennis Federation has confirmed that Maria Sharapova will play for her country against Germany in the Fed Cup semi-finals this month. World No 2 Sharapova rarely plays Fed Cup, citing a busy schedule, but will be part of the Russian team facing Germany on April 18-19 in Sochi. Playing in the team event helps her become eligible for next year's Olympics. Russia captain Anastasia Myskina, a former French Open champion, has also picked Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina. Maria Sharapova has been confirmed to play for the Russia team in the Fed Cup semi-finals next week . Sharapova (left) shakes hands with Dania Gavrilova after losing at the Miami Open last month . The German Tennis Federation said its team would consist of Andrea Petkovic, Angelique Kerber, Sabine Lisicki and Julia Goerges. Four-time champions Russia and two-time winners Germany have met only twice in the Fed Cup since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with each team winning one tie, most recently in 2002. Andrea Petkovic is part of the Germany Fed Cup team which travels to Sochi next week .
Maria Sharapova will play for Russia in the Fed Cup semi-finals .
Russia host Germany in the 2014 Winter Olympics host city of Sochi .
Playing helps Sharapova become eligible for next year's summer Olympics .