TWELVE teams remain in the hunt for the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup title, which kicks off overnight with the first of the knockout matches. While four nations – Canada, Australia, Czech Republic and Italy – have a first round bye, another eight are battling it out to reach the quarter finals. We take a look at the four contests in action.

November 13:

SPAIN vs. POLAND

A genuine eye-catching matchup between the sixth ranked Spain and ninth ranked Poland promises to be a thrilling contest. In normal circumstances, a Poland side headlined by the return of world number two Iga Swiatek would be warm favourites. However given the clash takes place in Malaga, a raucous home crowd will be supporting the Spanish side led by former world number three Paula Badosa.

Despite the home court advantage, Spain will need a lot to go right, with the in-form pair of Magdalena Frech and Magda Linette now ranked 25th and 38th in the world more than capable in the second singles. For Spain, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (55th) is at a career-high ranking, while Nuria Parrizas Diaz and Sara Sorribes Tormo are former Top 40 players ranked eight side of the Top 100 currently.

TIP = Poland

November 14:

JAPAN vs. ROMANIA

Two of the three lowest ranked nations remaining in the tournament face off on day two, with a regenerated Japanese side looking to improve its place. Despite losing Naomi Osaka for the clash, the future of the nation is on show with Moyuka Uchijima and Ena Shibahara a new-look one-two pairing with regular singles player Nao Hibino coming in at number three.

Though the upside with the Japanese side is evident given some improved performances this year, Romania has a rock solid side. Jaqueline Cristian, Ana Bogdan and Elena-Gabriela Ruse are more than capable of getting the upper hand on their opponents, though the European nation will also be without its top ranked player in Sorana Cirstea.

TIP = Japan

SLOVAKIA vs. UNITED STATES

In what loomed as a lob-sided clash when the first teams came out now seems a far more even contest. Powerhouses the United States would be favourite to take out the overall title if at full strength, but are some way off that. They do have Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, but instead of any number of their Top 20 players, will blood young guns Peyton Stearns and Ashlyn Krueger for the clash.

The pair is the nation’s seventh and ninth ranked players, though are still clear of any Slovakian bar number one singles player Rebecca Sramkova (43rd in the world). Anna Karolina Schmiedlova provides an honest effort and can be tricky, but all eyes are on 18-year-old Renata Jamrichova who is a Junior Grand Slam winner and future star of the WTA Tour.

TIP = United States

November 15:

GERMANY vs. GREAT BRITAIN

Eighth ranked Germany takes on 12th placed Great Britain in the last of the four first round matches. On paper the Brits are stronger but also more inconsistent, though the Germans have a lot of question marks without much substance in the singles arena. Former US Open winner Emma Raducanu is a threat as the number two singles player behind much improved Katie Boulter, while Harriet Dart can provides some upsets.

Germany still rely on Laura Siegemund who is ranked 83rd in the world, with Jule Niemeier and Eva Lys the other singles options. The latter two loom as Germany’s first choice singles players into the future with the 34-year-old Siegemund and 37-year old Tatjana Maria having done it for many years. They will be up against a pretty solid Great Britain side here though.

TIP = Great Britain

POTENTIAL QUARTER FINALS:

Canada vs. Great Britain
Australia vs. United States
Czech Republic vs. Poland
Italy vs. Japan