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 D

PREDICTION

The most entertaining group of the lot is Group D, with a genuine three-horse race in play between the nations. All three teams could theoretically reach the semi-finals, though in reality Czech Republic are favourites to do so despite being understrength. The home nation playing at O2 Arena will be incredibly strong, and have the upper hand being the number one doubles pairing in Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. The duo will be almost impossible to beat and give thema leg up over other teams who are not always as familiar with each other. Krejcikova will likely play singles too, though they do have a variety of talents including 2019 Roland Garros runner-up Marketa Vondrousova and Tereza Martincova as well.

Czech Republic are missing Karolina Pliskova and Petra Kvitova for the event, whilst their opponents Germany and Switzerland are able to head in full strength. If anything, the 15th ranked Switzerland might be the bigger challenge for the Czechs, with Top 10 talent Belinda Bencic and in-form rising star Jil Teichmann more than capable of upsetting the two Czechs to get the win. They might drop off a little after that, but have the talent to be a strong one-two punch to open their ties. They will likely have the depth in that second singles position better than Germany, who will rely on Angelique Kerber for a vital win.

Success will rest on Kerber getting her side off to a perfect start against Krejcikova and Bencic, with either Andrea Petkovic or Anna-Lena Friedsam taking up the second singles role. Despite being ranked two spots below Czech Republic, they will find the going the toughest, and Kerber is still inconsistent. But her best is good enough if she can find it, which is why you can never count Germany out. Switzerland is the dark horse in the group, and ignoring their low ranking – the second lowest nation of the tournament – they can very well upset the apple cart in this group.

TIP: Czech Republic to win through to the semi-finals

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jil Teichmann (Switzerland)

~

Picture credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

~