Britain hope for ‘deserved’ home play-off in Fed Cup

Could the epic Fed Cup drama at Bath University be the beginning of a similar climb to the one Leon Smith and Andy Murray oversaw in the Davis Cup, from the depths of Europe/africa Zone Group Two in 2010 to the title five years later?

OK, so setting out to lift the Fed Cup might seem a little ambitious at this stage. But if Johanna Konta and Katie Boulter continue to perform with the same skill and heart that carried them to eight successive singles wins in Bath, you never know what could happen.

First, though, Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong is praying to land a home tie at tomorrow’s Fed Cup draw – a privilege that her team have surely earned through sustained effort and determination.

Last week’s unbeaten run represents the fifth time in eight years GB have emerged from the piranha-infested waters of the Euro/africa Zone Group One qualifiers.

Unfortunately, they failed to win the ensuing promotional play-off to the World Group on all four occasions, mainly because they were drawn away each time.

“Surely, the odds now [would be Scare: Johanna Konta needed a medical check after collapsing during her match on GB’S side],” said Keothavong on Saturday, even though a mathematician might reply that a coin still has the same chance of landing heads no matter how many previous tosses fell that way.

“It makes a huge difference,” Keothavong added. “We do deserve a home tie. I don’t care who we’re up against, if we can field a fit and strong team, and play in front of such a supportive crowd, it makes the week even more special.”

Keothavong had to go to Konta’s aid during the emotional scenes of Saturday’s fraught victory over Serbia. Having dropped the second set to Aleksandra Krunic, Konta collapsed in the gangway that led to the players’ area. She later reported feeling “light-headed, shaky, a little bit out of body”. Somehow, she returned after a medical assessment to close out a 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 victory.

“It was a really gutsy performance from Jo,” said Keothavong. “She was pretty much running on empty at the end. I couldn’t be prouder of her or the team.”

Whatever tomorrow’s draw should throw up – the opponents are likely to be one of Italy, Slovakia, Japan or Holland – the next stage of Britain’s Fed Cup journey will be played on April 19-21. If they get a home tie, it will be staged at London’s Copper Box Arena.