The GB Fed Cup Team to face Japan in this weekend’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II Play-Off has been drawn today.
The winning nation will be promoted to the World Group II in 2019. Britain has won on the only two previous occasions these two have met: in 1972 and 1985.
Great Britain’s Captain Anne Keothavong named British No1 Johanna Konta and No2 Heather Watson as her singles players, while doubles veteran Anna Smith and Fed Cup debutante Gabriella Taylor will be Sunday’s doubles team.
Order of play:
Saturday, 21 April (5am UK time)
Heather Watson (GBR) v Naomi Osaka (JPN)
Johanna Konta (GBR) v Kurumi Nara (JPN)
Sunday, 22 April (4am UK time)
Johanna Konta (GBR) v Naomi Osaka (JPN)
Heather Watson (GBR) v Kurumi Nara (JPN)
Anna Smith/Gabriella Taylor (GBR) v Miya Kato/Makoto Ninomiya (JPN)
* Substitutions from the first singles each day can be made one hour before play begins, then 10 minutes prior to the second singles and 15 minutes prior to the doubles.
Keothavong commented:
“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. Regarding our team’s strengths, 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. Everyone supports each other and all the girls love representing their country, so they deserve a lot of credit for making the long trip out here.”
Konta said:
“It was definitely a bizarre feeling to get on the plane and come this far east at this time of the year, but I really enjoy playing Fed Cup, we have terrific team spirit and it was an easy decision to make. It’s my second visit to Japan after Tokyo last year and I really love the culture here, how respectful it is, the food and the cleanliness. The stadium is nice, very intimate, and I think it will be a really great experience for the fans who are coming.”
Watson added:
“I’m expecting to go up tomorrow against a very in-form Naomi Osaka. It will be a tough match because she hits the ball hard and these courts suit her game really well… I feel like I’m playing really well though, I do enjoy faster surfaces too, and I have been playing well in practice.
“I feel like the speed of the court suits my game because I’m good at absorbing pace and my biggest strength is movement, and that combination works well on the faster surfaces.”
Tennis fans will able to follow all the action on BT Sport, with radio coverage provided by BBC 5 Live and online coverage via BBC live events platform.