Great Britain’s Fed Cup team travelled to Japan’s Miki City earlier this week to prepare for their crucial World Group II play-off this weekend.
Victory for the Brits would result to a return to elite Fed Cup World Group level for the first time since 1993.
Led by captain Anne Keothavong, the team of British No.1 Johanna Konta, British No.2 Heather Watson, British No.4 and Fed Cup debutante Gabriella Taylor, and doubles specialist Anna Smith, will battle on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April in bid to secure their spot in World Group II.
The two teams have met just twice before in 1972 and 1985, with the Brits sealing victory on both occasions. However, with rising star and Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka headlining the host nation’s team; the Brits are prepared for the challenge ahead of them.
“We’ve got a very good team and all our players are fit and healthy. We’ve come here fully prepared and we’re here to get a job done, and I’ve got every bit of belief and faith in our team.” Fed Cup captain, Anne Keothavong
What’s the format?
Great Britain currently sit in the Euro/Africa Zone Group I and booked their place in the play-off following victory in Tallinn, Estonia, in February.
For the second year in a row, they won all of their ties at the Euro/Africa Zone Group I event, as Konta and Watson contested in the singles, whilst Smith teamed up with Fed Cup debutante Katie Boulter for success in the doubles.
The Brits have been in this same play-off position three times - in 2012 (losing to Sweden), in 2013 (losing to Argentina) and in 2017 (losing to Romania).
This weekend’s World Group II play-off will comprise of two singles matches on Day 1 (Saturday 21), followed by the reverse singles and doubles rubber on Day 2 (Sunday 22), all over three sets.
If Britain win, they will feature as one of the eight teams in World Group II, returning to elite Fed Cup level for the first time in 25 years.
Meet the team
Name
|
Age
|
Ranking
|
Ties played
|
| Johanna Konta |
26 |
23 |
18 |
| Heather Watson |
25 |
77 |
30 |
| Gabriella Taylor |
20 |
175 |
0 |
| Anna Smith |
29 |
48 (doubles) |
7 |
Quiz question
Who did Great Britain defeat in their zonal play-off to earn their place in this weekend’s World Group II play-off?
Social spy
As the countdown continues, Johanna Konta has her eyes on the prize...
Gabriella Taylor looks hard at work ahead of her Fed Cup debut...
It's all smiles for the team as they prepare to battle...
Venue guide
- Name? Bourbon Beans Dome
- Where? Miki City (northwest of Kobe), Japan
- Surface? Indoor hard court
Follow the action
Follow the action live on TV by BT Sport, with radio coverage provided by BBC 5 Live and online coverage via BBC live events platform. Play gets underway on Saturday, 13:00 local time (05:00 BST) and Sunday, 12:00 local time (04:00 BST).
Keep up-to-date with the action and access behind-the-scenes videos with British Tennis on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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*Answer to quiz question
Great Britain defeated Hungary in the Euro/Africa Zone Group I play-off.
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