Preview Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers: Pegula, Bencic and Rybakina aim to secure Finals berths

The Billie Jean King Cup Qualifying Round will be played this week from April 10 to 13, as we look ahead to the groups competing for the six remaining spots in the Finals set to be held in Shenzhen. Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina and Belinda Bencic are among the big names taking the court this week.

There are six groups, each consisting of three nations, making a total of 18 teams. The qualified countries earned their place in the Qualifying Round: 11 teams come from the 2024 Finals, while 7 others advanced through the playoffs held earlier this season.

Each group will feature two singles matches and a doubles match (if necessary) to determine the winner of the tie. Only one team per group will earn a spot in the Finals, with six places up for grabs. The ties will be held in six different host cities, with the top seed in each group playing at home.

Two teams are already qualified for the BJK Cup Finals: defending champions Italy, led by Jasmine Paolini, and host nation China, who received a wildcard and will be led by Zheng Qinwen.

Canada has been one of the strongest teams in the Billie Jean King Cup for several years now, even clinching the title in 2023 with a standout performance by Leylah Fernandez. This time, however, they won’t have the former US Open runner-up, nor their other big name: Bianca Andreescu, who is still recovering from injury.

The tie will be played on indoor hardcourt at the Ariake Tennis Park—the same venue that hosts the Japan Open and the Toray Pan Pacific Open. Despite the absence of their star players, Canada will field a highly competitive team, including Rebecca Marino and Marina Stakusic, a duo that has already delivered strong performances in the BJK Cup.

Romania will be led by 20-year-old Anca Todoni, who recently reached a career-high ranking of world No. 83. Several key players will be missing, including seasoned names like Jaqueline Cristian, Irina-Camelia Begu, and Sorana Cirstea. Romania is clearly undergoing a transition period, with many of its top players now over 30, and the recent retirement of Simona Halep also marking a turning point.

As for Japan, without Naomi Osaka this time around, their hopes will lie with Moyuka Uchijima—currently ranked world No. 51, her best ranking so far.

The Czech team is one of the perennial favourites, and they can afford to leave out several of their top players and still remain among the front-runners. Karolina Muchova (No. 12), Barbora Krejcikova (No. 15), Marketa Vondrousova (No. 48), and Katerina Siniakova (doubles No. 1) will all be absent for different reasons, and it will be up to the younger prospects to take charge of the tie.

Four of the team members are under 20, with Linda Noskova leading the way—supported by the experience of Marie Bouzkova, 26 years old, who appears set to be the team’s second singles player. As hosts, they’ve chosen to play on indoor hardcourt, a surface that favours them, especially against Spain and Brazil—two teams more accustomed to clay courts.

Spain will be weakened by the absence of Paula Badosa and will be led by Bouzas Maneiro and Sorribes Tormo. On Brazil’s side, Beatriz Haddad Maia has long been the only internationally renowned player from her country, though they boast a strong doubles pairing with Luisa Stefani, which could be key if the South Americans are to pull off an upset.

Arguably the most unpredictable group in the qualifiers, with three strong teams. Slovakia will have a full team, led by Rebecca Sramkova, who already surprised at last year’s Finals, eliminating the USA, Australia, and Great Britain en route to the final. Few would have expected the Europeans to reach the final against Italy, and despite the loss, they’ve made a name for themselves—not just as qualifiers, but as title contenders.

They were unlucky in the draw, facing the USA—led by Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins—as well as Denmark, led by one of the season’s most inspired players, 22-year-old Clara Tauson. At least on paper, doubles matches could be decisive, and the North Americans—coached by former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport—have the strongest doubles team, with Desirae Krawczyk and Asia Muhammad. That said, the BJK Cup is one of the competitions where favouritism matters least and rankings often take a back seat.

The Australians are the seeded team in the draw, although they don’t appear to be strong favourites this time. They’ll be led by Kimberly Birrell and teenager Maya Joint, both currently outside the top 60, along with the experienced Ajla Tomljanovic. Nevertheless, their doubles team is one of the strongest in the world, with Hunter and Perez ready to step in and decide the ties when needed.

However, one of their opponents will be Kazakhstan, featuring 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and the always tricky Yulia Putintseva. Not many teams can boast two singles players in the top 25, which makes them, on paper, the favourites.

Rounding out the group are the Colombians, led by the spirited Camila Osorio, who’s known for pulling off surprises and always brings out her best tennis when representing Colombia. In fact, she was named the best player in the last BJK Cup qualifiers and will arrive in high spirits after winning her third title at the Copa Colsanitas in Bogotá.

Australia will not count on Daria Kasatkina this time—now their new No. 1 following her change of residence—as she still held Russian citizenship at the time of team nominations. However, she is now eligible to compete under the Australian flag in future ties.

This time, Poland will be without World No. 2 Iga Swiatek—a significant absence, especially against opponents with experienced singles players who have delivered strong results this season. The Polish team will be led by Magdalena Frech and Magda Linette.

On the other hand, Switzerland will see the return of former Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic, playing her first BJK Cup since becoming a mother—already showing great form this season. Meanwhile, Ukraine will count on their two best players, Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, a duo ready to try to settle matches before reaching the doubles stage. Still, the presence of Lyudmyla Kichenok provides a reliable backup in the event of a deciding doubles match—she’s the reigning 2024 US Open doubles champion.

The final group, led by Great Britain, will have one of the most notable absences with Emma Raducanu missing—she was a key player for the team last year in the BJK Cup. The second singles match is always crucial in these ties, and Raducanu has shown some of her best tennis when representing Britain, playing a pivotal role in their qualification for the Finals a year ago. Nevertheless, Katie Boulter is the in-form player in the group and stands out as the favourite whenever she takes to the court.

Germany will be led by one of this season’s surprise performers, Eva Lys, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open after entering the draw as a lucky loser. The 23-year-old is seen as the leader of Germany’s new generation, following the retirement of Angelique Kerber. The group is completed by the Netherlands, with World No. 70 Suzan Lamens at the helm.