GREAT BRITAIN captain Anne Keothavong has backed her team to rise to the challenge when they face Czechia in the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals today.

Emma Raducanu is still absent so Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Sonay Kartal, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage will face a formidable Czech team including Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and runner-up Karolina Muchova in Shenzhen.

Keothavong, who has guided Britain into the semi-finals in three of the last four years, said: “We’ve seen how people are able to rise to the occasion when they represent their nation. I’ve seen it from the players here beside me. Anything is possible.

“But, yeah, respect is given to the opposition. We’re up against a team who have a Wimbledon champion and Wimbledon finalist. You name it, there’s not a lot that those players haven’t achieved.

“But I believe in my team. I believe they’re able to rise to the challenge. They’re motivated. They’re up for it, as always. There is a collective goal here.

“Our ambition is still to win this competition one day. To do that we know we have to beat the best. Tomorrow’s match is no different.”