MADRID - The new president of the Spanish tennis federation (RFET) has fired the nation's first female Davis Cup captain, Gala Leon, two weeks before the Group I second-round tie away to Russia. Leon, who had a career-high ranking of 27 as a player, was a surprise choice to replace Carlos Moya, who stood down last year after the five-times winners were relegated from the World Group. Top players including Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer questioned Leon's appointment and the decision to sack her is seen as an attempt by president Fernando Fernandez-Ladreda to clear the air and persuade the players to take part in the match. Spain need a win in the July 17-19 tie in Vladivostok to have a chance of getting back into the elite World Group for next year's competition.