Noskova, Rybakina and Zheng nominated to play in Billie Jean King Cup finals

LONDON (AP) — Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen highlight the lineup of players nominated Friday to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

Jasmine Paolini and doubles partner Sara Errani are back to lead two-time defending champion Italy in the competition, which features eight teams and will be held Sept. 22-27 in Shenzhen, China.

Noskova will be joined by Karolina Muchova, the woman she beat in the Wimbledon final, plus top-ranked doubles player Katerina Siniakova, on a strong Czech Republic team.

Rybakina leads Kazakhstan and Zheng, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Games, leads host China.

Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina lead Ukraine.

Matchups feature two singles matches and a deciding doubles if necessary.

Nations can make up to four changes to their squads until the day before the finals.

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TEAM NOMINATIONS:

Belgium: Hanne Vandewinkel, Jeline Vandromme, Greet Minnen, Magali Kempen; Wim Fissette (captain).

China: Zhang Shuai, Wang Xiyu, Zheng Qinwen, Guo Hanyu, Jiang Xinyu; Zheng Jie (captain).

Czech Republic: Karolina Muchova, Linda Noskova, Marie Bouzkova, Katerina Siniakova; Barbora Strycova (captain).

Britain: Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic, Jodie Burrage; Anne Keothavong (captain)

Italy: Jasmine Paolini, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti, Tyra Caterina Grant, Sara Errani; Tathiana Garbin (captain).

Kazakhstan: Elena Rybakina, Yulia Putintseva, Sonja Zhiyenbayeva, Zhibek Kulambayeva, Anna Danilina; Yuriy Schukin (captain).

Spain: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Kaitlin Quevedo, Marina Bassols Ribera, Sara Sorribes Tormo; Carla Suarez Navarro (captain).

Ukraine: Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Oleksandra Oliynykova, Dayana Yastremska, Lyudmyla Kichenok; Illya Marchenko (captain).

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis