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Billie Jean King Cup Finals Predictions: All To Play For In Wide Open Competition As Britain Face Tough Route

5 hours ago

| BY Sam Cox

The 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Finals begin on Sept. 22 in Shenzhen and William Hill News preview the best bets and predictions at this year’s event.

With all five players in the top 35 of the singles rankings and the world’s best doubles player, the Czech Republic are considered the pre-tournament tennis betting favourites.

Defending champions Italy boast a strong team, too. Sara Errani’s experience will be invaluable in doubles play, while Jasmine Paolini headlines the singles players.

Significant Absentees

The United States, the most successful team in the competition’s history, were knocked out in the playoff phase, with Iva Jovic as the only big name to take part. Canada, Australia, and Switzerland also failed to make it through the playoff round.

US Open champion Elena Rybakina is sitting out the Billie Jean King Cup Finals due to an ankle injury, which dampens Kazakhstan’s chances of going all the way. Ukraine’s hopes were dented by Marta Kostyuk’s absence.

Elise Mertens is not involved for Belgium after helping her country see off the U.S. earlier this year. Paula Badosa is not part of the Spanish team, with the five-time champions only having one player in the top 90 of the singles rankings.

BJK Cup Predictions

Great Britain are optimistic of booking another semi-final appearance, but they face the trickiest possible matchup in the form of an absolutely stacked Czech team. The Czechs have won four straight against the Brits in this competition, and it’s hard to see how that trend is broken.

Could China upset defending champions Italy? Don’t be surprised if they do. Zheng Qinwen was back to somewhere near her best with a deep run at the US Open. Zhang Shuai is one of the world’s best doubles players, and she’s reached the quarter-final of multiple WTA 1000 events.

Mertens’ absence makes Ukraine favourites over Belgium, even without Kostyuk. Elina Svitolina is joined by the world number 47 in Anhelina Kalinia. Ukraine were semi-finalists last year and will fancy their chances of defying the sports betting markets.