AFTER completing our team-by-team previews ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup, Draft Central now focuses the attention on the Group-by-Group previews. Over the next four days we will run through the four groups and who is anticipated to progress, the stars, and the ones to watch in each of the groups.

GROUP C

PREDICTION

Group C is much like Group A in the sense that it is clearly a two-horse race. Whilst the third ranked United States team should get up and through to the semi-finals, you can never discount Spain who have put together a strong, in-form side for the event. Slovakia less so with just one player inside the Top 100 – Anna Karolina Schmiedlova – and the others predominantly outside the Top 150. It means it will be an uphill battle for the Slovakians, with their hopes lying in the doubles with the 50th ranked Viktoria Kuzmova who will likely team up with the 118th ranked Tereza Mihalikova. As a whole though, it is tough to see the Slovakians making a dint through the singles and therefore finishing third in the group.

With both Spain and the United States expected to get past Slovakia in the first two matches, a virtual qualifying final takes place on November 3. The United States are not at full strength, missing the likes of Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff and Jennifer Brady who are currently their top three singles players – Brady the number one doubles player too – and of course the GOAT of tennis, Serena Williams. As a whole though the likes of Danielle Collins and Shelby Rogers (Jessica Pegula was a late out after getting married) are a good one-two combination in the Top 30, with Sloane Stephens capable of anything. The Spanish were looking like dominating with Garbine Muguruza and Paula Badosa at the helm, before both withdrew from the event.

It means the load will be up to with 68th ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo like to pair up with the retiring Carla Suarez Navarro in doubles, and Nuria Parrizas Diaz as the other singles player. The Spaniards are a good shot to topple the United States in the doubles, but it means Sorribes Tormo or Parrizas Diaz must topple one of Rogers or Collins, with the former more likely.

TIP: United States to advance to the semi-finals

PLAYER TO WATCH: Sloane Stephens (USA)

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Picture credit: Pete Staples/USTA