Svitolina joins Ukraine squad to face Japan in Play-offs

Elina Svitolina will anchor Ukraine's bid to reach the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas 2022 Qualifiers when they host Japan in this month's Play-offs.

The world No. 5 leads a strong line-up for the hosts, with Marta Kostyuk, Katarina Zavatska, and Nadiia and Lyudmyla Kichenok named in the five-player line-up heading to Chornomorsk for the April 16-17 tie.

Svitolina, who helped Ukraine gain promotion from Europe/Africa Group I in Estonia in February 2020, is set to play her first Billie Jean King Cup tie on home soil since 2017, when she led her nation to a 3-1 victory over Australia with wins over Ashleigh Barty and Daria Gavrilova. The 26-year-old has a 12-10 record from 16 ties since making her debut in 2012.

Kostyuk, the 18-year-old world No. 85, has a 6-3 record in Billie Jean King Cup and was also part of the side that triumphed in Tallinn, as was Zavatska, who made her competition debut last year. The Kichenok sisters make their return to the side in 2021 - Nadiia, the doubles world No. 45, last played in 2019, while world No. 47 Lyudmyla's last appearance came in 2018.

This is the first Billie Jean King Cup clash between Ukraine and Japan, a tie which was originally slated to take place in Miki-City. After last month's decision to move the tie to Ukraine, the Elite Tennis Club, Chornomorsk was selected as the venue, where the matches will take place on clay.

Further information about the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs can be found here.