Chances good both Bouchard and Azarenka will play at Fed Cup tie in Quebec City

MONTREAL – A top Tennis Canada official is confident that both Eugenie Bouchard and former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka will take part in a Canada-Belarus Federation Cup tie next month in Quebec City.

Eugene Lapierre, vice-president of Tennis Canada, said on Wednesday that Bouchard’s desire for competitive matches and a light schedule should make it attractive for the Westmount, Que., native to play in the World Group II tie Feb. 6-7 at Laval University.

“She’s had a good start to the season after being sidelined with her injury at Flushing Meadows (in September),” said Lapierre. “She made the quarter-finals of her first tournament, the final of her second and then had a good match against Agnieszka Radwanska (in the second round of the Australian Open).

“She said after that she is missing high-calibre matches.”

Bouchard, Canada’s top female player, backed out of Fed Cup play last year citing a heavy schedule, but this time her calendar should be free.

Lapierre said Azarenka, currently ranked 16th in the world, already has a hotel room booked. She needs one more Fed Cup appearance to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Rio this summer.

Tennis Canada is hoping to sell out the 3,000-seat venue for the tie. A win would put Canada into a playoff for a spot in World Group I while a defeat would put it in a playoff to avoid relegation.