History could be just a match away for Anne Keothavong and her Fed Cup team
History could be just a match away for Anne Keothavong and her Fed Cup team – so it’s little wonder the captain is leaving nothing to chance on the courts of Miki City.
Not since 1993 has the Great Britain side been in the competition’s World Group but victory over Japan in this weekend’s play-off would see that unwanted statistic cast to one side, a return to the top tier seen as long overdue.
That’s a task Keothavong believes falls on her strongest possible team, with British No.1 Johanna Konta and No.2 Heather Watson lining up alongside Anna Smith and Gabi Taylor.
But with a trip to the other side of the world and Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka also among those across the net, the captain knows qualification won’t be handed to her side.
“All the girls have prepared the best they can and I don’t think we have left any stone unturned,” she said.
“The time difference of eight hours is a challenge, however tennis players spend their lives travelling around the world so they are used to adapting and preparing their bodies to be match ready.
"Every practice has gotten better, it’s a fast indoor court and it does suit our team too.
“Jo is a very offensive player who is capable of beating anyone on any given day and Heather is someone who rises to the challenge of playing Fed Cup."
Watson will open up the tie against world number 22 Osaka in Saturday’s opening singles rubber before Konta takes to the court against Kurumi Nara.
The two will then switch singles ties with Konta up against Osaka with her teammate following suit against the world No.100.
And the play-off will conclude with Smith and Taylor in doubles action, the latter making her Fed Cup debut – not even born the last time Great Britain were in the World Group.
But this situation is far from unfamiliar for the team, into the play-off for the fourth time in seven years – with each of those resulting in ties away from home.
And another defeat would put the British squad back into Euro-Africa Group I zone, where teams play a round-robin competition across one week at one venue as opposed to the home and away ties of the World Group.
But even with defeat in their past three play-offs to contend with, Keothavong remains confident 2018 can be the year where things change for her team.
“We’ve got a very good team and all our players are fit and healthy,” she added.
“We’ve come here fully prepared and we’re here to get a job done, and I’ve got every bit of belief and faith in our team.
“We have been so close since 2012 and hopefully the fourth will be a charm. Fed Cup is a unique privilege to wear your nation’s colours and it’s something I know all of our team takes great pride in.”
Sportsbeat 2018