After losing both singles matches on day one of their game against France, Great Britain faces an uphill battle to reach the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Caroline Garcia defeated world number five Katie Boulter 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) to give France a 1-0 lead.

In Emma Raducanu’s absence, the highest-ranked player, Harriet Dart, lost 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-3) against Alize Cornet.

France now has a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, which culminates on Saturday at Coventry Arena.

Since the best-of-five format was introduced in 1995, there have only been seven comebacks from 2-0 deficits in the competition, formerly known as the Fed Cup.

On day two, Britain must win two more singles rubbers in order for the tie to be decided by the doubles match.

The winners will go to the women’s team event’s 12-nation finals in November.

Watch and read live coverage of the BJK Cup match between the United Kingdom and France.
Britain bucked the odds to reach the semi-finals of last year’s finals and will aim to embrace their underdog mentality against a French team that is more stronger in terms of rankings and past pedigree.

With British number one Raducanu absent once more, captain Anne Keothavong chose the same squad that advanced to the final four in Glasgow.

All five sets played on Friday proceeded to tie-breaks, demonstrating how brilliantly Britain matched their opponents and the razor-thin margins by which the matches were decided.

Dart, ranked 138th in the world, led from the start with victories over Spain’s Paula Badosa and Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in last year’s finals, but was unable to repeat the feat when she faced Cornet.