Friday 21 April 2017 16:57, UK
Great Britain will hope they are not blown away by a Romanian storm as they try to end a 24-year wait to reach the elite level of the Fed Cup.
Preparations for the World Group II play-off in the Black Sea resort of Constanta have been disrupted by high winds, rain and even a few flurries of snow, making outdoor practice difficult at the Tenis Club IDU.
However, the good news is the forecast is better for the weekend, when a British team led by Johanna Konta will take on a strong Romanian line-up.
Captain Anne Keothavong said: "It hasn't been ideal. Yesterday was a complete wash-out, we were practising in the indoor bubble but it's the same for both teams. It's cold, it's wet, the conditions will be heavy, but we're ready."
Romania go into the tie as favourites on home soil and on their best surface, with world number five Simona Halep contesting the opening rubber in her home city against Heather Watson.
If Britain are to win they will need Konta, now ranked seventh after her recent Miami Open triumph, to produce the form that has made her one of the most dangerous players in the women's game.
Clay is not her best surface but a win over 33rd-ranked Irina-Camelia Begu in the second rubber is a must if Britain are to stand a chance of pulling off a shock, and Keothavong's predecessor Judy Murray resigned last year partly out of frustration with the format.
Britain have been trying to escape the Europe/Africa Zone since 1993 without success.
Murray twice led them to similar play-offs against Sweden and Argentina in 2012 and 2013 respectively but defeats sent them back to square one.
Former British No 1 Keothavong has sought advice from Murray and Davis Cup captain Leon Smith and is optimistic her side can exceed expectations.
She said: "Judy has been a really good mentor for me. I've picked her brain on lots of subjects and she's got a lot of knowledge and has been willing to help, which has been great for me.
"I'm just as desperate to get out of this group, there's nothing more I would like to see than Great Britain in a World Group and that's something that's a possibility.
"We've got a fantastic group of gifted and talented players and they're capable of scoring big wins on the big stages. I think the Romanians will feel the pressure and it's up to the players and all of us to take advantage of that."
Watson has had a difficult season, dropping to 113 in the rankings, but has an excellent record in Fed Cup and only lost 12 games in four matches in the group stage in February.
She said: "I really enjoy the team environment, especially having everyone at the side of the court, cheering me on and backing me. It's different from a regular tournament and I think I really thrive in it and that shows in my results."
The other two team members, Laura Robson and Jocelyn Rae, will, if needed, play the final doubles rubber on Sunday against Monica Niculescu and Sorana Cirstea.
For those on the move, we will have the Fed Cup covered via our website skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @skysportstennis for news, reports, live blogs and expert analysis with updates on Sky Sports News HQ.
Non-subscribers can grab a NOW TV Sky Sports Day Pass for just £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99. No contract. You can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
