Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2022: Great Britain vs Spain preview
• 3 MINUTE READ
Get the full rundown on Great Britain's final match in Group C at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals against Spain.
When is Great Britain vs Spain?
Great Britain will play Spain in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals group stages at 16:00 on Thursday 10 November.
How to watch Great Britain vs Spain
Live coverage of Great Britain’s tie against Spain will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Full coverage of the whole competition will be available on BT Sport.
Group standings
| Nation | Played | Won | Lost | Matches W-L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 - 0 |
| Kazakhstan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 - 4 |
| Great Britain | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 - 2 |
The teams
|
Great Britain |
Spain |
|
Captain: Anne Keothavong |
Captain: Anabel Medina Garrigues |
|
Paula Badosa |
|
|
Nuria Parrizas-Diaz |
|
|
Cristina Bucsa |
|
|
Rebeka Masarova |
|
|
Aliona Bolsova |
Head-to-head
Great Britain have faced Spain three times in the Billie Jean King Cup and currently hold a 2-1 winning record. The Brits defeated the Spanish team in 1975 and 1978 thanks to wins from Virginia Wade, Glynis Coles and Sue Barker, but lost in their most recent tie in 1993.
Preview
Great Britain come into their second tie in Group C off the back of a close battle with Kazakhstan on Tuesday night, which saw them lose 2-1.
However, with Spain defeating Kazakhstan on Wednesday night, the Brits still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.
Facing a similarly difficult task against this Spanish team, there is plenty for the Brits to be optimistic about. In the battle of the top ranked players, Harriet Dart could be set to take on world No.13 Paula Badosa, a player who she holds a 1-0 winning record against, having defeated the Spaniard in the final of an ITF $25k event in Oslo back in 2018.
Katie Boulter’s opening set against Yulia Puntintseva showed that she can compete and get the better of opponents at the highest level. If the Brit can marry her aggressive style with the consistency she showed from the start of the match, she will pose a threat to any player.
Perhaps the ace up the Brits sleeve is Heather Watson – the team’s most experienced Billie Jean King Cup player, who could step in to fly the flag for her country on Thursday night. Equally, doubles duo Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls will look to ride the high of their impressive win against Elena Rybakina and Anna Danilina, as their dream 2022 season continues.
On the Spanish side, of course Badosa will take the headlines as a former Indian Wells champion, but in the absence of Gabrine Muguruza and Sara Sorribes Tormo, Nuria Parrizas-Diaz will take up the mantle as the team’s second highest ranked player. A semi-finalist in Monterrey this year and multiple WTA quarter-finalist, Parrizas-Diaz will prove a tough challenge for the Brits. Her and Dart have player each other twice since August, with one win apiece.
Get your Billie Jean King Cup tickets NOW
The Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals, the women’s world cup of tennis, take place at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, from 8-13 November. Tickets, starting from £5 for children and £10 for adults, can be purchased below...
