Billie Jean King Cup: Who's in? Who is missing?
Some of the teams that are fighting for a place in the final round of the Billie Jean King Cup 2023 on April 14th and 15th are competing with the strongest line-up. Others have gaps.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 19, 2023, 08:03 am
To say it straight away: The format of the Billie Jean King Cup is also a mystery this year: On April 14th and 15th, nine nations will be determined that will win the team competition in a field of twelve in autumn. In addition, with Switzerland as last year's winners and the finalists from Australia, there are two already pre-qualified teams. However, the twelfth participant will not be announced until the final venue is known. Last year this was Glasgow.
Well then.
In any case, a few teams seem to want to be there - wherever they are. First of all, there are the Americans, who with Jessica Pegula, Cori Gauff, Madison Keys, Danielle Collins and Catherine McNally are going full steam ahead against Austria. The game is played on hard court and outdoors in Delray Beach.
Swiatek meets Rybakina
The Czechs also want to do it against the Ukraine, with Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova they bring the best doubles in the entire competition (Krejcikova should also start in the singles), and with Karolina Muchova, Marketa Vondrousova and for the first time Linda Noskova they can do it again. On the other hand, Ukraine plays with Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska in singles. By the way in Antalya.
Germany meets Brazil at home in the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart. The German team boss Rainer Schüttler relies on Jule Niemeier and Tatjana Maria in the singles. As for the guests, a lot will depend on Beatriz Haddad Maia's form.
The game between Kazakhstan and Poland in Astana promises to be a real hit. Because there could be a meeting between Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in the top individual. This duel has already happened twice in 2023 - in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and yesterday in the semifinals of Indian Wells. Rybakina prevailed on both occasions.
On the other hand, Emma Raducanu canceled the meeting between Great Britain and France.