Kasatkina will hope to make BJK Cup bow in Tasmania
Australia will host a Billie Jean King Cup tie in Tasmania in November with Daria Kasatkina hoping she'll be cleared to be in contention to make her debut for her adopted country in the World Cup of women's tennis.
The draw for the play-offs was made in London on Thursday when it was revealed that Sam Stosur's Australia team will host a three-pronged play-off tie against Brazil and Portugal in Hobart between November 14 and 16.
When Kasatkina, the new Australian No.1 after gaining permanent residence in March, was asked about her ambitions of competing in the BJK Cup having previously competed for her native Russia, she talked of her enthusiasm about making a green-and-gold debut.
But talking at Roland Garros, she admitted it was still unclear when and if she would get clearance to play.
"Talking about the Billie Jean King Cup, that process is more complicated, which is not depending on me," she told reporters.
"It's something which Tennis Australia has to deal with the ITF (International Tennis Federation organisers). This is where it's already different language. I'm not going to be the part of it. This is where the Federation has to deal with the ITF."
If she does get clearance and is selected, the Australian team would be strong favourites to top their three-team round-robin group at Hobart's Domain Tennis Centre against two teams who don't have the same strength-in-depth to call on.
Even without Kasatkina, the world No.16, Stosur has rising teenager star Maya Joint (No.52), Ajla Tomljanovic (No.66) and Kim Birrell (No.79) to choose from in the top 100, while Olivia Gadecki is 104. Ellen Perez is the 16th-ranked doubles player in the world.
In contrast, Brazil have only one stand-out player in the shape of 21st-ranked Beatriz Haddad Maia, with their next two on the WTA computer being the No.219 Laura Pigossi and No.240 Carolina Alves.
The Portuguese team will be the rank outsiders with their hopes resting on two sisters, 21-year-old Matilde Jorge (No.251) and her 25-year-old sibling Francisca, who's at 259.
Stosur's team will be hoping to get back among the elite next year by winning their November tie after failing to reach this season's week-long final which will be held in Shenzhen, China, in September.
Play-offs draw:
Group A: (Monterrey, Mexico): Canada, Mexico, Denmark
Group B: (Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland): Poland, Romania, New Zealand
Group C: (Cordoba, Argentina): Slovakia, Switzerland, Argentina
Group D: (Varazdin, Croatia): Czech Republic, Colombia, Croatia
Group E: (Hobart, Australia): Australia, Brazil, Portugal
Group F: (Ismaning, Germany): Germany, Belgium, Turkey
Group G: (Bengaluru, India): Netherlands, Slovenia, India
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