Bianca Andreescu will not be included in the Canada squad that faces Belgium in Friday and Saturday’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.

Andreescu, the country’s highest-ranking Canadian, will miss the clash after tearing two ligaments in her left ankle during the Miami Open on March 27. The 22-year-old Ontarian is currently in 27th place^e World ranking in the WTA rankings.

It’s a tough loss for the Canada side but captain Heidi El Tabakh has great faith in the other team members.

“We have a lot of depth in the group,” she said on Tuesday. I think one of our advantages is that we are mentally strong and at the end of the day everyone is playing great tennis. »

Toronto’s Katherine Sebov will replace Andreescu when the action returns to Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum.

Sebov, 24, hit a personal high of 136 this week^e World ranked after losing to talented Swiss Belinda Bencic at the Charleston Open on April 5.

“She plays aggressive tennis and moves really well,” said El Tabakh. She is good on all surfaces, especially indoors where she is really hard to beat in my opinion. She has good pace because she had a good start to the season. »

Leylah Fernandez, Rebecca Marino and Gabriela Dabrowski complete the Canadian squad.

50th place^e In singles, Fernandez won a doubles title with American Taylor Townsend at last week’s Charleston Open.

Belgium will not be able to count on their best element, the 29th^e World beater Elise Mertens. Her cast consists of Yslaine Bonaventure, Greet Minnen, Kirsten Flipkens and Yanina Wickmayer.

However, El Tabakh believes that Belgium should not be underestimated. She mentioned that the formation has a lot of experience.

“The four players are tough opponents,” said El Tabakh. It will be a tough duel. »

Canada have battled Belgium in their Billie Jean King Cup history and have never won in three games.