2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers: Jasmine Paolini and Iva Jovic eye Shenzhen finals - schedule and how to watch live tennis action

The road to Shenzhen begins with the 2026 Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup qualifiers from 10-11 April.

Fourteen nations are competing for the remaining seven spots at the finals of the women’s World Cup of tennis, which will take place in the People’s Republic of China from 22–27 September.

Hosts China are already assured of their spot, and they will be joined by the winners of this weekend’s play-offs taking place across the world. Among them are back-to-back reigning champions Italy and 2025 runners-up USA.

Ties consist of five matches, beginning with two singles rubbers on the first day of competition. To further align with the Davis Cup, the equivalent men’s tournament, the doubles match will follow as the third matchup of the tie, on day two.

If no team has reached three wins after the doubles pairs take to the court, singles rubbers will settle the tie and decide the team to advance to the finals. Matches are best of three sets.

Who will book their spot at the BJK Cup finals? Here are the key details to know.

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2026 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers – the stars on show, from Olympic champions to emerging talents

The format of the BJK Cup often offers younger players a rare chance to compete on an international level for their nations, while some of the game’s top players return to lead their teams.

Italy are once again spearheaded by world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, who will join forces with fellow Olympic doubles gold medallist Sara Errani when they take on Japan.

Team USA’s top-ranked singles player will be Iva Jovic, the 18-year-old who reached her maiden Grand Slam quarter-final at this year’s Australian Open. They go to Belgium, who have world doubles No. 1 Elise Mertens among their ranks.

In Biel, Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic is hoping to guide Switzerland back to the BJK Cup finals after three years. They host Czechia, who have a dangerous lineup including former Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová and world No. 14 Linda Nosková.

Elsewhere, Ukraine have two top 30 players in their squad to face Poland: world No. 7 Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, who has won 10 of her 13 singles matches in the BJK Cup.

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