Tough draw for GB

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 13:04

Team GB, who are in Europe/Africa Zone Group One, have been drawn alongside Belarus, who are led by world number six Victoria Azarenka, and Austria as well as Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Should they top their group after two singles and one doubles match, the team would play off against another group winner from the same zone on Saturday with the winners through to the World Group II play-offs in April.

Anne Keothavong returns after six months out with injury with British number one Elena Baltacha, who reached the third round of the Australian Open, Katie O’Brien and Sarah Borwell making up the four-player team.

Captain Nigel Sears admitted his side faced a tricky test but was optimistic, saying: “All the groups are tough – we have to accept now that whichever group we’re in we have to beat a good team to get into the semi-finals.

“But we’ve got a very strong team too and we’ve also got a doubles specialist in Sarah Borwell who has played with Anne (Keothavong) a lot already and I think that’s our trump card.”

Keothavong added: “I’m feeling a bit apprehensive about playing a match given the injury.

“I don’t expect anything to be easy especially when you haven’t competed for a while – you can’t expect everything to switch on straight away but again I’m feeling good – I’m happy with where I’m at at the moment – competing is my job and that is what I am looking forward to.”

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here