The British Fed Cup team hopes of hosting their first Fed Cup tie since 1993 has been dashed following the World Group II play-off draw.
Johanna Konta and Heather Watson help guide their country to the world group II play-off stage after wins over Portugal, Latvia, Turkey and Croatia in the Europe/Africa tournament hosted in Estonia. There was hope that the draw would be on their side and reward Britain their first home for 24 years. Instead, they will travel to play Romania, who could feature star player Simona Halep.
It has been a quarter of a century since Great Britain last featured in the World Group of the Fed Cup.
2013 champions Italy faces a trip to Chinese Taipei as they battle to stay in the world group. The Italian team hasn’t played outside of the World Group since 1997. Serbia will host Australia in a tie that could potentially feature a clash between Sam Stosur and Jelena Jankovic. Finally, Canada will be hoping for better fortunes than their male compatriots when they face Kazakhstan at home.
Here is the full draw for the #FedCup World Group II play-offs which will be held on 22-23 April! pic.twitter.com/dZ9VoErSVW
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) 14 February 2017
The Group I Play-Offs features a mouthwatering clash between Spain and France, who lost their quarter-final ties against the Czech Republic and Switzerland over the weekend. It will be the first meeting between the two countries since 2011 with Spain narrowly leading the head-to-head 5-4. The tie will be hosted in France.
Elsewhere in Group I, the other ties feature all European countries, three of which are former winners of the event. Four-time champions Russia will play 2001 winners Belgium. Germany, who hasn’t won the title since 1992, will play Ukraine. Finally, Slovakia will face off against the Netherlands.
Here is the full draw for the #FedCup World Group play-offs which will be held on 22-23 April! pic.twitter.com/OLxe0ylrKr
— Fed Cup (@FedCup) 14 February 2017
Unlike the Davis Cup, the Fed Cup has a different structure. The world group is split into two categories, Group I and Group II. Then the 91 nationals ranked outside of the group play in their retrospective regional competitions.
The play-off ties will be played between April 22-23.
