Russia is bidding for its fourth victory in five years, having defeated Italy 4-0 in the 2007 final. Maria Sharapova made her Fed Cup debut in the 2008 competition, which has seen the team defeat Israel 4-1 and USA 3-2. Russia currently occupies five of the top ten places on the WTA rankings.

Spain, a five-time champion, is bidding for its first title since 1998, having reached its first final since 2002. The team has scored two victories away from home, defeating Italy 3-2 and China, P.R. 4-1. Three Spanish team members performed well at 2008 Roland Garros, with Carla Suarez Navarro reaching the quarterfinals, and Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual winning the doubles title.

Toray Pan Pacific Tennis belongs to Tier I category of Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. It is the largest women's international tennis tournament in Asia, with the prize money US$1,340,000.