GB's Kartal out of BJK Cup qualifier with injury

Sonay Kartal reacts during her meeting with Elena Rybakina at Indian Wells

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Sonay Kartal is ranked 55th in the world

Published52 minutes ago

Sonay Kartal has withdrawn from Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia in Melbourne next week because of injury.

The absence of the British number two means Britain will be without their four highest-ranked players, after Emma Raducaunu, Katie Boulter and Francesca Jones were not included in the initial squad as they focus on their clay-court seasons.

It leaves world number 181 Harriet Dart as the team's highest-ranked singles player for the tie, which takes place on 10-11 April.

Kartal, 24, said she had not yet recovered from the lower back issue which forced her retirement from a fourth-round Indian Wells match against world number three Elena Rybakina last month.

"After having some scans it is clear that I'm going to need a little more time to let it heal," Kartal said.

"Sadly it means I won't be joining the girls in Australia but wishing them the best of luck for the tie.

"Gutted to be sidelined but already looking forward to being back out there soon. I'll see you on the clay."

GB captain Anne Keothavong faced a tough task persuading the top British players to travel to Australia for a hard-court tie at a time of the year when the European clay-court season is getting under way.

She has also selected Katie Swan, 17-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage for the contest.

Australia have picked three players inside the world's top 80 in Maya Joint, Talia Gibson and Kimberly Birrell.