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Pegula, Collins and Kessler pull out of US BJK Cup team ahead of qualifying

Pegula in action
Pegula in action Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins and McCartney Kessler have withdrawn from the United States' Billie Jean King Cup team, the USTA said on Wednesday, with a handful of newcomers rounding out the group ahead of the qualifying stage.

Alycia Parks, Bernarda Pera and Hailey Baptiste were named to the USA team, along with BJK Cup veterans Asia Muhammad and Desirae Krawczyk.

The United States are hoping to bounce back after exiting the finals against Slovakia in the first round last year and the will face the country again on the 13th after meeting Denmark on Saturday.

The qualifying stage features 18 countries in six round-robin groups with the finals set for November.