Storylines to watch out for in the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs
09/11/2023 14:09
Sixteen teams are taking part in the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-offs this weekend as they begin their campaigns to win a place at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals
By Kevin Palmer
The Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-offs get underway this weekend, with some big names taking part in matches being staged around the world from London to Brasilia and Tokyo.
The prize at stake is a place in next year's Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers in April, where the make-up of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals will be decided.
With the majority of attention on the showpiece Finals in Seville this week, here are some stand-out stories to have on your radar ahead of the Play-offs on 10-12 November.
HUGE CROWD IN LONDON
Anne Keothavong's Great Britain side were one of the big stories of last year's Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Glasgow, as they delighted the home crowds with battling performances that took them through to the semi-finals.
A tight defeat against France in April's Qualifiers means a team comprised of British No. 1 Katie Boulter, British No. 2 Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart and Heather Watson and doubles specialist Maia Lumsden will take on Sweden in front of a huge crowd at London's Copper Box Arena.
A sell-out crowd is assured for a tie against a Sweden team that will feature 17-year-old Bella Bergkvist Larsson for the first time, after their top-ranked player Rebecca Peterson was ruled out due to an arm injury.
UKRAINE TAKE ON NETHERLANDS
Emotions will be high as Ukraine's women take to the court in Vilnius, Lithuania, for their match against the Netherlands.
Captain Mykhailo Filima has named a strong team led by world No. 27 Anhelina Kalinina for a tie against a Dutch side that includes doubles specialist Demi Schuurs, who is back from Mexico after competing in the WTA Finals.
Ukraine beat Japan in the Play-offs last year before losing out to a strong Czechia team in the Qualifiers, so they will be eager to play with pride during such troubled times for their country.
HADDAD MAIA STARS FOR BRAZIL
World No. 11 Beatriz Haddad Maia is set to be the highest-ranked player competing at the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs, as she leads the Brazilian charge against Korea, Republic.
Haddad Maia reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in June and pieced together her most consistent year to date, with Laura Pigossi, Carolina Alves, Ingrid Gamarra Martins and Luisa Stefani included in a team selected by Brazil captain Roberta Burzagli.
Korea, Republic are competing the Play-offs after coming through Asia/Oceania Pool A in April.
STRONG BELGIAN SIDE TAKE ON HUNGARY
Belgium will look to Greet Minnen to carry their challenge in what should be a close contest against Hungary at the Dome de Charleroi, Charleroi.
The Belgian side led by captain Wim Fissette will be keen to get back into contention in the Billie Jean King Cup after appearing in the last two Finals, with a tight loss against Canada in April's Qualifiers pushing them into the Play-offs.
Hungary captain Miklos Palagyi has world No. 114 Anna Bondar to call on as his top ranked player, who confirmed her winning form in September when she won an ITF World Tennis Tour W60 title in Montreux.
MORE STAR NAMES
Japan's Ariake Coliseum will be in full voice as their team takes on Colombia, with world No. 90 Nao Hibino leading from the front for the home side.
Colombia will be led by world No. 79 Camila Osorio, who boasts a 9-4 winning singles record in Billie Jean King Cup matches.
There will be an intriguing tie on indoor clay courts in Austria, with two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Tamira Paszek set to play a key role for captain Marion Maruska in a tie against Mexico in Schwechat.
Slovakia's world No. 71 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova will face a battle against Argentina's world No. 78 Nadia Podoroska on indoor hard courts in what promises to be a closely contested tie in Bratislava.
Serbia's women are also in action in the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs, with captain Dusan Vemic hoping to make home advantage count in Kraljevo as they play host to a Romania side led by world No. 98 Jaqueline Cristian.
