By Simon Griver
Israel will have high hopes of returning to the world group of the Federation Cup when many of the world's top ladies travel from the Australian Open to Eilat for the Europe/Africa Zone Group playoffs starting on Wednesday.
World number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will lead a cast of 18 of the top 100 WTA players that includes Israel's Shahar Peer and Britain's Elena Baltacha.
Israel are one of 15 nations competing in the Red Sea resort for two places in the World Group. They face Poland, Bulgaria and Luxembourg and, with Poland missing their biggest star Agnieszka Radwanska (14), Peer and the fast improving Julia Glushko will be strong favourites to top the group.
Peer bowed out of the Australia Open at the third round stage. She failed to capitalise on a set point, going down in three sets to Flavia Pennetta of Italy.