Fed Cup: Watson to open Britain’s World Group II play-off in Japan

20/04/2018

| Federation Cup

Heather Watson in Fed Cup action

British No.2 Heather Watson will open Great Britain’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II play-off against Japan’s reiging Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka in the first singles rubber, on Saturday 21 April.

Following Watson on the indoor court at the Bourbon Beans Dome in Miki City, will be British No.1 Johanna Konta taking on world No.100 Kurumi Nara.

Sunday’s action will see Saturday’s singles matches reversed, with Konta taking on Osaka and Watson facing Nara. The play-off will conclude with a doubles rubber contested by British duo Anna Smith and Gabriella Taylor against Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya.

The two teams have faced each other just twice before – in 1972 and 1985 – with the Brits coming out on top both times. If they maintain their winning record against the host nation, they will return to elite World Group level for the first time since 1993.

Quote from the captain 

GB Fed Cup Captain Anne Keothavong said:“All the girls have prepared the best they can and I don’t think we have left any stone unturned.  The time difference of eight hours is a challenge, however tennis players spend their lives travelling around the world so they are used to adapting and preparing their bodies to be match ready. 

"Every practice has gotten better, it’s a fast indoor court and it does suit our team too.Jo is a very offensive player who is capable of beating anyone on any given day and Heather is someone who rises to the challenge of playing Fed Cup." 

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 TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

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