(Paris) The United States team, with its two best players, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, N.3 and 6 in the world, seem untouchable at home against Austria, in the context of qualifying for the final phase of the Billie Jean King Cup, Saturday and Sunday.
The winners of the nine matches on the program for these qualifications will join in the final phase, in November, Switzerland (holding) and Australia, finalists of the 2022 edition and as such automatically qualified.
France and Italy will go to Great Britain and Slovakia respectively, each with their two best players, and will start as favourites, even away from home.
The outcome of the Germany-Brazil meeting seems more uncertain: the Brazilian team will be able to count on the world No.14, Beatriz Haddad Maia. But the German collective seems solid and experienced, with Tatjana Maria in its ranks, who has just won the Bogota tournament.
In Astana, Poland, without the world N.1 Iga Swiatek, can expect to suffer against the Kazakhstan of Elena Rybakina (N.7 world) and Yulia Putintseva (N.45).
In Marbella (ESP/clay): Spain-Mexico
In Antalya (TUR/clay): Ukraine-Czech Republic
In Coventry (GBR/indoor hard court): Great Britain-France
In Vancouver (CAN/on hard indoor): Canada-Belgium
At Delray Beach (USA/on outdoor drive): USA-Austria
In Bratislava (on hard indoor): Slovakia-Italy
In Stuttgart (GER/clay): Germany-Brazil
In Astana (indoor clay): Khazakhstan-Poland
In Koper (SLO/clay): Slovenia-Romania