Preview: Japan v Kazakhstan
05/04/2024 15:02
Eight Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers take place from 12-13 April. The winners will seal a place at November's season-ending Finals in Seville alongside defending champions Canada, 2023 runners-up Italy, hosts Spain and wild card recipients Czechia. Here is a preview of the Japan v Kazakhstan tie
By Kevin Palmer
The Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo will provide the stage for Naomi Osaka's return to Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge action, as the former world No. 1 prepares to play for her country for the first time since 2020.
She will be part of a Japan team that are No. 20 in the latest Billie Jean King Cup Rankings, as they compete against a Kazakhstan team ranked at No. 9 after their appearance in last year's Finals in Seville.
TEAMS NAMED
Japan: Nao Hibino, Mai Hontama, Naomi Osaka, Ena Shibahara, Shuko Aoyama
Kazakhstan: Yulia Putintseva, Zhibek Kulambayeva, Aruzhan Sagandikova, Anna Danilina, Zarina Diyas
HEAD TO HEAD
This will be the sixth meeting between these two nations in the Billie Jean King Cup, with Japan holding a 4-1 lead in the head-to-head statistics.
The most recent clash came in 2018, as Japan won an Asia/Oceania I promotion match staged in India, with a decisive doubles match required to decide the tie.
That 2-1 victory for Japan reversed the scoreline when these two nations met a year earlier when Yulia Putintseva shone for Kazakhstan.
The first meeting between these two nations came in 2000, as Yuka Kaneko won the decisive match to give Japan a victory.
STORY OF 2023
Japan collected an impressive total of six wins in ties played during 2023, with their flawless record of five victories in Asia/Oceania group matches last February including wins against India, China P.R., Korea, Rep., Uzbekistan and Thailand.
They then came from behind in a thrilling Play-Offs tie to beat Colombia and seal their place in this year's Qualifiers, with Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama securing the win in the decisive doubles match.
Elena Rybakina was the star performer for Kazakhstan in the Qualifiers last April,as they beat Poland on home soil to progress to the Finals in Seville.
They lost their opening match against a strong Australia team and a victory against Slovenia was not enough to earn the Kazakhstan team a place in the semi-finals.
MEET THE CAPTAINS
Japan captain Ai Sugiyama is tennis royalty in her homeland after a career that saw her reach the Top 10 of the WTA Rankings and play in two Grand Slam singles quarter-finals.
Sugiyama was beaten by Jennifer Capriati in the quarter-finals of the 2000 Australian Open and then lost a tight match against Maria Sharapova in the last eight of the 2004 Wimbledon Championships.
She also won three women's doubles Grand Slam titles at the 2000 US Open, as well as at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2003. In addition, she won a mixed doubles crown at the 1999 US Open.
Kazakhstan captain Yuriy Schukin reached a career-high of No. 119 in singles, winning eight ATP Challenger titles, and also enjoyed success on what was then known as the ITF Futures Tour.
This will be Schukin's first match as team captain after he took over the role from Yaroslava Shvedova.
Dias Doskarayev, Vice President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation explained the decision: "We are not changing anything drastically in the women's national team, but making only minor adjustments. Previously, Yuriy was the coach of the women's national team, and Yaroslava was the captain.
"Now Schukin will lead the team, and Shvedova will help him. In other words, there has been a personnel rotation, which, I hope, will allow the national team to perform successfully this season."
TALKING POINT
Japan captain Ai Sugiyama has welcomed the return of Naomi Osaka to her team, as the four-time Grand Slam singles champion made herself available for selection after an encouraging start to her comeback after she became a mother last season.
"She said that she wants to play, so I'm really happy," said Sugiyama. "We're aiming for the very top. The players have the potential."
Osaka's star quality will ensure this match is eagerly anticipated in Tokyo, with her rapid rise up the WTA Rankings since her return to action in Australia in January adding a fresh dimension to the women's game this year.
Her appearance in this tie could also open the door for Osaka to play at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
