Fed Cup Qualifiers 2020 Preview: Eight Teams Looking to Make the Final in New Format

Naomi Osaka v Ana Bogdan live streaming and predictions
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The Federation Cup Qualifiers 2020 will take place between February 7 and 8, with 16 teams spread over eight venues, competing for the right to take their place alongside reigning champions France, beaten finalists Australia, wildcard the Czech Republic, and hosts Hungary in the finals to be held in Budapest in April.

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Fed Cup’s Revamped Format

The format of the competition, which is being held for the 58th time, has changed this year. Now, similar to the Davis Cup and the ATP Cup, the World Group finals, now relabelled the Fed Cup Finals, will be held in a single location – this year Budapest – and across just one week.

In the Finals, the twelve qualified teams will be split into four round-robin groups of three teams each, who will play each other, with each tie consisting of two singles and one doubles match. The winner of each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the two teams emerging victorious from them playing in the final.

Meanwhile, the eight teams that fail to qualify this week, will have to play in Group 1 of their continental zones next February against lower ranked teams who have earned their place through a series of promotion battles, to determine who will compete in the Qualifiers again next year.

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Who is Playing in the Federation Cup Qualifiers?

Six of the current WTA top ten are due to be in action this weekend, with Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu, newly crowned Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, and Belinda Bencic all scheduled to play for their countries.

The USA will play host to Latvia, and their star-studded team will include Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin, Alison Riske, and the precocious 15-year-old Coco Gauff.  Latvia’s team will include former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, and Anastasija Sevastova.

Spain will be at home to a Japan side which will feature Naomi Osaka, and Misaka Doi. Suarez Navarro will lead the Spanish side, alongside team mates like Sara Sorribes Tormo and Lara Arruabarrena.

Meanwhile Switzerland, led by Bencic will be at home in Biel to a Canada side which will include Andreescu, making her comeback from the injury which forced her to miss the Australian Open.

Netherlands, with Kiki Bertens, will be at home in the Hague to Belarus, whose ranks will include Arnya Sabalenka, the current world number 12.

In neighbouring Belgium, the hosts featuring Elise Mertens and Kirsten Flipkens, will be competing against a Kazakhstan side that will include the likes of Yulia Putintseva and Zarina Diyas.

Romania will be at home to Russia in Cluj-Napoca. The home side will be led by Ana Bogdan and Irina Maria bara, whilst the Russians are likely to field an experienced team including Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anastasia Pavlyuchnkova, a quarter-finalist in Melbourne.

Newly promoted Brazil will host Germany in Florianopolis, and will be hoping that Gabriela Ce and Teliana Pereira can help pull off a surprise. The visitors will be relying on the likes of Laura Siegemund and Tatjana Maria to ensure that it does not happen.

Finally Great Britain, featuring Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Katie Swann will travel to Bratislava to take on a Slovakia team that will include Viktoria Kuzmova, Jana Cepelova, and Rebecca Sramkova amongst its ranks.

Federation Cup Qualifiers 2020 Predictions

USA, Japan, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Germany and Slovakia all to qualify for the Fed Cup Finals.

About Andy Dalziel 1773 Articles
Andy is English but a long time resident of Cyprus. When not writing about tennis and other sports, he is also a Chartered Accountant. In his spare moments, he spends more time than is healthy worrying about his beloved Arsenal.

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