Young tennis duo Costoulas-Vandewinkel just cannot finish against China, Belgium is relegated from the World Group

Marie Benoit (WTA 208) opens the confrontation (Saturday from 6 a.m. Belgian time) with a duel against Wei Sijia (WTA-131). Hanne Vandewinkel (WTA-225) will face Xiyu Wang (WTA-102) in the second singles match on Saturday.

On Sunday (from 5 am Belgian time) Benoit plays against Wang, Vandewinkel looks Wei in the eye. In the final doubles match, youngsters Sofia Costoulas and Jeline Vandromme face the doubles duo Guo Hanyu/Jiang Xinyu.

Ysaline Bonaventure (WTA-933) is also still in Fissette’s selection, which after cancellations in China has to make do without the Belgian spearheads Elise Mertens (WTA-34) and Greet Minnen (WTA-96). China’s two best singles players, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen (WTA-5) and Wang Xinyu (WTA-37), are also missing.

Fissette showed herself hopeful this week from China. “We are here with a good team and the group atmosphere is excellent,” said the Belgian captain, who did not want to hide behind the absence of Mertens and Minnen. “It will be difficult anyway. China has a lot of quality.”