Dutch in Britain’s Fed Cup pool

Captain Judy Murray’s team will compete in Pool C during the tournament, which is held from 1-4 February in Eilat, Israel.

Murray, who was appointed in December, said: “Our group is challenging as there are some very good players in the opposing teams but we have a strong squad and will use the next few weeks to scout our opponents and prepare the girls for Eilat.” Experienced duo Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong and youngsters Heather Watson and Laura Robson will make up the quartet, with fellow teenager Tara Moore also travelling to Eilat as reserve. Yesterday, Watson was knocked out of the Moorilla Hobart International in the first round, losing to Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova. The 19-year-old from Guernsey responded well after losing a lengthy first-set tie-break, but ultimately fell short as Pironkova secured a 7-6 (12/10), 3-6, 7-6 (7/2) victory.

Watson, who withdrew from last week’s season-opening WTA tournament in Auckland due to an ankle injury, qualified for the main draw in Hobart with a three-set triumph over Germany’s Kristina Barrois on Sunday.

Pironkova will play Anna Chakvetadze in round two after the Russian defeated third-seeded Romanian Monica Niculescu.