Loughborough Echo

Boulter set for Federation Cup action in Bath

Could make debut in the singles

- PETE WARRINGTON peter.warrington@reachplc.com

TENNIS ace Katie Boulter will be hoping to make her singles debut in the Federation Cup this week when GB will play their first home tie in the competitio­n since 1993.

The 22-year-old from Woodhouse Eaves made her Federation Cup debut in the doubles last season, partnering Anna Smith to a 6-0 6-2 win against Portugal and a 6-1 6-1 win over Estonia, but she wasn’t selected to play a singles tie.

This year Great Britain have been placed in Group A alongside Hungary, Greece and Slovenia for the upcoming Europe/Africa Zone Group I tie which will be held at the University of Bath from today (Wednesday) until Saturday (February 9).

Nations will play three round-robin ties of two singles matches and a doubles rubber, and Great Britain must finish top of their group in order to secure a place in Saturday’s play-off, where they would face the winner of Group B which includes Serbia, Croatia, Turkey and Georgia.

Captain Anne Keothavong selected Boulter alongside Johanna Konta, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Katie Swan and with Boulter the current British number 2

with a career high ranking of 88 she hopes to play a key role in the competitio­n.

“I’m hugely excited to be playing Fed Cup this week, it’s always an honour to represent your country.

It’s our first home tie in 26 years as well so the atmosphere should be pretty special. “Whether it’s singles or doubles, I’ll be doing my best for the team and fingers crossed for a great week for Great Britain.”

 ??  ?? Katie Boulter plays a forehand during a training session ahead of the start of the Fed Cup Europe and Africa Zone Group I fixtures at University of Bath on Wednesday. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for LTA)
Katie Boulter plays a forehand during a training session ahead of the start of the Fed Cup Europe and Africa Zone Group I fixtures at University of Bath on Wednesday. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for LTA)

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