Navratilova seems to be defying the ageing process

Navratilova, 47, said she is "tickled pink" to be in the team to play doubles this weekend in Moscow.

She said: "We should beat Belgium. On paper, we're huge favourites. But in Fed Cup, strange things can happen."

Navratilova has played in the Fed Cup for Czechoslavakia and the US, and last appeared eight years ago.

Navratilova's inclusion in the team comes after she won the mixed doubles this year with Leander Paes at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

She also reached the US Open doubles final with Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova.

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If the US beat Belgium, who are without world numbers one and two Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters in the semi-finals, they will face either Russia or France in the final.

The Russians are favourites to win the tournament for the first time - a year after Russia's men won their first Davis Cup.

All four Russian players in the team are ranked in the world's top 13.

But Navratilova said she would prefer to face Russia in the final.

"In the finals, probably we'd be better off playing the Russians. I think they're more beatable than the French."

Full draw:

Wednesday, November 19 (0800 GMT)

Belgium v United States:
Els Callens v Lisa Raymond
Kirsten Flipkens v Meghann Shaughnessy

Russia v France (Russian names first)
Vera Zvonareva v Amelie Mauresmo
Anastasia Myskina v Mary Pierce

Thursday, November 20 (0800)

Belgium v United States (Belgian names first)
Els Callens v Meghann Shaughnessy
Kirsten Flipkens v Lisa Raymond
Elke Clijsters/Caroline Maes v Martina Navratilova/Lisa Raymond

Russia v France (Russian names first)
Anastasia Myskina v Amelie Mauresmo
Vera Zvonareva v Mary Pierce
Elena Dementieva/Nadia Petrova v Emilie Loit/Mary Pierce