Going every day. Looking forward to making a bit of noise for the GB girls.

It'll be far more competitive trying to get through the groups this year, despite the home advantage. Last year we were in a group of 3 teams and had Estonia which pretty much only had Kontaveit and a bunch of lowly ranks, with Kanepi in some sort of dispute iirc, plus Portugal who are pretty much the only reasonably big nation not to have a recognisable player. We then had a Babos-less Hungary in the playoff.

Hungary with Babos are going to be much stronger than that for a start, especially with her being a bit of a doubles specialist now with Kiki M and Stollar is a year further along in her development and pushing the top 100, whereas Watson has gone backwards (as has Jo to an extent, in terms of ranking at least).

Slovenia - Dalila Jakupovic, Kaja Juvan, Nina Potocnik, Andreja Klepac
Greece - Maria Sakkari, Valentini Grammatikopoulou, Despina Papamichail, Anna Arkadianou

Slovenia could be pretty dangerous. Jakupovic is a solid enough top 100 player who seems at her peak now, Juvan has just turned 18, was a very good junior and climbing the rankings, while Klepac seems to be a doubles specialist with a current ranking of 17 and part of a women's team that reached the QF in Melbourne last week. Unless Potocnik plays dubs with Klepac then I doubt we'll be seeing much of her as she seems largely run of the mill. They could actually be the biggest threat and we play them in the first match.

Everyone knows about Sakkari but they don't look too strong after that. We shouldn't be too worried about Gram'poulou, Papamichail is 26 next month and just seems to be an average 300-400 type singles and doubles player, probably making up the number and Arkadianou is a 17 year old junior but not one that I had heard of and doesn't seem a stand out one.

I think it's a pick'em between GB and Hungary with Slovenia well in contention and that's just to get out of the group, never mind a potential play off with a Vekic-led Croatia on the Saturday.

Should be a fun few days mind, wish I was going but BT's coverage will have to do.

PaulM wrote:

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Babos and Klepac out. Helpful

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In 2 minds about that. Obviously from a pure British progress POV, it can't be denied that it is good news and we'll probably be clear favourites now - that's a huge blow for particularly for Hungary as Babos would have played 2 rubbers, but at the same time, as a spectacle, it would have been better if the superior players (and bigger names) were around to give the week a more important feel. I guess if it was a regular WTA main draw and someone gave Katie Boulter a walkover in the 2nd round, I'd be pretty pleased, but it does feel a bit different here for some reason. I saw Babos retired against Zidansek this week in Thailand, but thought nothing of it.

Slovenia still have Jakupovic and Juvan (I assume), so it may realistically come down to the winner of GB vs Slovenia on the first night to see who progresses - the winners of that will certainly be huge favourites.

Emma Raducanu is in Bath practising with the team.
pbs.twimg.com/media/DyggMNNWsAEwzup.jpg

mbturner wrote:

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There's a video on British Tennis facebook page.

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 and on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btb1kD6hSSC/

 

Fanny Stollar a major doubt for Hungary now:

Gábor Juhász, sports director of the Hungarian Tennis Association, as well as the head of the Hungarian Fed Cup national team on the current M1 channel, said on Sunday evening that the player will not travel with them on Monday morning and will only find out on Tuesday if he can count on his game. He added that Stollar had returned to Australia from the injured, both wrists hurt, and a high risk of injury.

Would be another blow. One of the more recognisable opposition team players. 

Teams announced

Katie Boulter vs Juvan
Johanna Konta vs Jakupovic

Harriet Dart & Katie Swan vs Jakupovic & Juvan