Preview: Germany v Great Britain

The winners will seal the last remaining spot in the quarter-finals as the business end of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals begins to take shape in Malaga.

Awaiting the victors in the last eight are 2024 champions Canada, who have not featured in the competition since their triumph at Seville’s Estadio de La Cartuja 12 months ago.

Germany have not reached the quarter-finals since 2019, while Great Britain last achieved the equivalent of the last eight in 2022. Both will probably feel their presence there is overdue.

If Germany defeat Great Britain, it will be their 100th win in Billie Jean King Cup. Only 12 nations in the competition’s history have achieved this milestone.

The most recent encounter between Germany and Great Britain occurred in 1985 when the Brits triumphed 3-0 following singles victories for Jo Durie and Annabel Croft and doubles success for Durie and Anne Hobbs. Great Britain lead the overall head-to-head record 4-2.

General history has been kinder to Germany with this their third appearance at a Billie Jean King Cup Finals since the inaugural edition in 2021.

They advanced to the Finals this time around after defeating Brazil 3-1 during April’s Qualifiers in Sao Paolo. Tatjana Maria overcame Laura Pigossi before Laura Siegemund outmanoeuvred Beatriz Haddad Maia and Carolina Alves.

Great Britain, meanwhile, have reached the Finals on just one previous occasion. Their presence this time was sealed by a 3-1 victory over France in Le Portel, with Emma Raducanu recording two singles victories.

The presence of Raducanu, who celebrated her 22nd birthday in Malaga on Wednesday, is a major tonic for Great Britain as they bid to make their mark at the 2024 Finals.

Raducanu has not played competitively since September after incurring a foot injury but has recovered sufficiently to take her place in Anne Keothavong’s team.

Katie Boulter, who earlier this month reached a career-high No 23 in the WTA Rankings, and Raducanu were a formidable weapon for Great Britain during their singles matches in April. Expect the same here.

For Germany, Laura Siegemund was in blistering form during April’s Qualifiers and she may have to be again if Germany are to buck the trend of past results against Great Britain. 

The 36-year-old has won four of the six singles matches she has contested in Billie Jean King Cup, although she has lost all four of the doubles matches she has been involved in.

Laura Siegemund (GER): “It has been a long season but it’s nice to come together as a team. We are all excited to have a good week together and right from the start we had a good vibe. We are really excited to perform well.”

Emma Raducanu (GBR): “I have put in a few really good weeks of training, so I’m feeling quite confident in how I’m playing. For me, it’s just about adjusting to playing matches again. It’s been a few months, so I’m intrigued to see how that goes.”