The Poles have finished bottom of their group in each of the past two years without five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, but she will be making her debut in the revamped knockout tournament.

Swiatek has struggled for her best form since winning her fourth French Open title earlier this year, failing to reach a final.

Her WTA Finals title defence ended in the group stage last week despite winning two of her three round-robin matches and she arrives in Malaga relatively fresh after missing several competitions in recent months.

Poland, who also have Magdalena Frech and Magda Linette in their squad, have comfortably the highest average ranking for their top three players of any team in the tournament.

The only other top-10 player scheduled to feature is Italy's world No 4 Jasmine Paolini.

Poland face a tricky opening tie, though, against Spain, with Swiatek set to face former world No 2 Paula Badosa. Spain beat an understrength Poland in a dead rubber in last year's group stage, after both teams lost to eventual champions Canada.

--ChannelAfrica--