Group C preview: USA, Spain, Slovakia

USA

Squad: Danielle Collins, Shelby Rogers, Sloane Stephens, CoCo Vandeweghe, Caroline Dolehide
Captain: Kathy Rinaldi

With 18 Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas titles to their name – the most recent coming in 2017 – USA’s strength in depth is on full display in Prague. The nation’s No. 1 Sofia Kenin may not be returning to the site of her dogged competition debut performance in the 2018 final, but in her stead is a heady blend of storied campaigners and relatively new faces.

Even with the loss of Jessica Pegula - so impressive in 2021 - in the week before the Finals, captain Kathy Rinaldi has options throughout her roster: alongside Pegula's replacement Shelby Rogers, a Billie Jean King Cup winner under Rinaldi in 2017, there’s former US Open champion Sloane Stephens and former world No. 9 CoCo Vandeweghe – who made their Billie Jean King Cup debuts in 2012 and 2010 respectively – as well as Danielle Collins, winner of two WTA titles in 2021, and debutant Caroline Dolehide.

SPAIN

Squad: Sara Sorribes Tormo, Nuria Parrizas Diaz, Rebeka Masarova, Aliona Bolsova, Carla Suarez Navarro
Captain: Anabel Medina Garrigues

Carla Suarez Navarro had thought her Billie Jean King Cup career had ended in early 2020 as she helped the Spaniards see off Japan in the Qualifiers. But having recovered from cancer and making 2021 her farewell season following last year's tennis lockdown due to the pandemic, she returns to the squad for one more assignment, 13 years after her 2008 debut.

Spain will be led by Sara Sorribes Tormo and Nuria Parrizas Diaz, the world No. 37 and No. 66 respectively. Parrizas Diaz is making her competition debut at the age of 30m, while Sorribes Tormo first pulled on the red shirt in 2015, as did Aliona Bolsova. Debutant Rebeka Masarova completes the line-up as she and Bolsova come in to replace Garbine Muguruza and Paula Badosa.

 

SLOVAKIA

Squad: Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Kristina Kucova, Rebecca Sramkova, Viktoria Kuzmova, Tereza Mihalikova
Captain: Matej Liptak

Ignore the numbers next to the Slovakian contingent in the rankings: as they proved in ousting Great Britain in the Qualifiers, this is a side that rises to the occasion – and with healthy support expected to follow them across the Czech border, Matej Liptak’s quintet will be eyeing an upset.

Anna Karolina Schmiedlova was at the heart of that crucial win in Bratislava, and the world No. 90 returns to lead the side in Prague some nine years after her 2012 debut. The 27-year-old is again backed up by Rebecca Sramkova and Viktoria Kuzmova – who arrives with a 5-1 record in Billie Jean King Cup singles matches – as well as the returning Kristina Kucova, back in the side for the first time since 2017, and doubles world No. 106 Tereza Mihalikova.

Potential key match: Stephens (USA) v Suarez Navarro (ESP)

A scene-setter for the final tie in Group C, this potential match-up may prove to be the last singles match of Carla Suarez Navarro's career - and while she concedes a 0-4 head-to-head deficit against Stephens, the Spaniard couldn't have come much closer to beating her at Roland Garros earlier this season, bowing out 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4. A chance for revenge? Or will Stephens get the opportunity to make it five out of five and put a crucial win on the board for the Americans?
 

Tie dates 

Spain v Slovakia – Court 1, Monday 1 November, NB 17:00 CET
USA v Slovakia – Centre Court, Tuesday 2 November, NB 17:00 CET
USA v Spain – Centre Court, Wednesday 3 November, NB 17:00 CET

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