Gracheva defeated by Minnen, France falls to Belgium and will not return to the World Group of the BJK Cup in 2026

France was playing for a lot this Friday. Against Belgium, Julien Benneteau's players wanted to secure a win to keep hope alive for a playoff in September, which would have been the last step in a potential return to the World Group of the Billie Jean King Cup.

After Alizé Cornet's defeat against the young Jeline Vandromme, 17 years old (6-3, 6-3), the pressure was on Varvara Gracheva's shoulders. Facing Greet Minnen in a match that pitted two top 100 members against each other, the world No. 67 had to win to force a decisive doubles match.

Unfortunately for the French team, Gracheva could not prevail against Minnen, ranked 92nd at the WTA, despite a three-set match (6-2, 4-6, 6-1). This defeat definitively seals the success for Belgium, as France will not participate in the playoff match in September.

Julien Benneteau's players will therefore not return to the World Group and will compete in Group I, the equivalent of the second division of the BJK Cup, in 2026.