Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu have been named to the British team for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals set to take place this November. They will be joined by Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls, forming a five-woman squad for the event in Malaga from November 13-20.
Great Britain earned their place in the knockout stage with a surprising victory over France on an indoor clay court in Le Portel this past April. In her second appearance for her country, Raducanu leveled the tie by defeating Caroline Garcia on the opening day. Boulter’s win against Clara Burel set the stage for Raducanu to secure the tie with a dramatic third-set tie-break victory over Diane Parry.
The team selection is not final, as captain Anne Keothavong can make up to three changes before GB’s first-round match against Germany. Factors such as current form and fitness will influence these decisions. Sonay Kartal, who recently captured her first WTA title in Tunisia and climbed over 200 places in the rankings within just two and a half months, could be a strong contender for inclusion. She is now the fourth British player in the WTA top 100.
Kartal’s recent success has positioned her as a potential addition to the squad, reflecting the dynamic nature of team selections leading up to the event. Her rise has added an extra layer of excitement and competition for the final team spots.
Should Great Britain overcome Germany, they would face the defending champions Canada in the quarter-finals. The potential matchup with Canada promises to be a challenging encounter, adding to the stakes of the competition.
“We’ve created fantastic memories over the past few years and are eager for the opportunity in November,” said Keothavong. The team’s previous successes have set high expectations and they are looking forward to building on their achievements at the upcoming Finals.
