Last year, after a strong performance, Securitas Team Switzerland won the Vice World Championship title, qualifying directly for this year’s final round of the Billie Jean King Cup. There they would have to survive a group stage with the first three teams, for which the Swiss women were drawn by their opponents today.

These are the teams of Canada and Italy. Swiss team captain Heinz Guntherdt: “These will be tough matches, but we certainly don’t have to hide from them.”

The match with Canada in particular should be a testament to the Swiss tennis players. The North Americans are led by 19-year-old Leyla Fernandez (WTA 15), who was in the US Open final last year.

Another Canadian was also able to win that Grand Slam tournament in 2019: Bianca Andreescu (WTA 56) was once number 4 in the WTA world rankings, then dropped out of the top 100 due to injury and is now back at the summit .

When the two teams last met, Switzerland had a better ending for themselves. It was 3-1 at Beale in February 2020. Next, Belinda Bencic and Jill Tekman scored points for Securitas Team Switzerland.

The previous encounter with Italy also ended well from the Swiss point of view. In February 2019, Belinda Bencic and Viktorija Golubic ensured a 3–1 home win with their victories – also in Biel. Still, beware Italians. Along with 30-year-old Camila Giorgi (WTA 27) and 28-year-old Martina Trevison (WTA 29), they have two very experienced top players.

In the Swiss team, Belinda Bencic (WTA 16), Jill Tekman (WTA 22) and Viktorija Golubic (WTA 58) should be set on recovery. The fight for fourth place seems open, with Yelena In-Albon (WTA 113), Joan Juger (WTA 179), Simona Waltert (WTA 186) and Stephanie Vogel (WTA 193) being particularly questioned. Captain Heinz Gunthardt will announce the nomination at least a month in advance.