USA vs Belgium - Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers Tennis Prediction and Pick 4/12/24

18-time champions, the USA, will face Belgium in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers at the USTA National Campus in Orlando. This best-of-five tie will be played across two days on 12-13 April 2024. Here's our preview and prediction.

First outing for new captain Davenport

The USA is aiming to reach the Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this year and potentially win it after a disappointing group-stage exit in last year's Finals. The 18-time winners will be captained by Lindsay Davenport, who takes charge for the first time. The former world no. 1 knows this competition very well. She has won it three times as a player. Davenport has an embarrassment of riches at her disposal such that she did not even need to name world no. 3 Coco Gauff in the squad. Therefore, she has selected Jessica Pegula to lead the line and has recalled Madison Keys to add to their experience. There could be potential debuts for rising star Emma Navarro and world no. 48 Caroline Dolehide.

Can the Belgians spring the upset?

Belgium's team captain is Wim Fisette, who is Naomi Osaka's full-time coach on the WTA Tour. Their most prominent player is Elise Mertens, who, surprisingly, is not part of the squad. It is unclear why Mertens won't feature, and that means Belgium will have a largely inexperienced team flying into Orlando for the tie. Their top-ranked player is Hanne Wandewinkel, who is only 19 and is ranked 278th in the world rankings.