SOUTHAMPTON’S Gabriella Taylor has been named in Great Britain’s Fed Cup team for the first time.

She is set to make her debut against Japan on the indoor hard court at Bourbon Beans Dome in Miki, Japan, next week.

The rapidly rising 20-year-old will play alongside Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Anna Smith in the World Group II play-off.

Taylor has been working with coaches Xavier Budo and David Sunyer since November and has credited them with helping her change her mindset.

She has won three titles on the International Tennis Federation circuit this year, taking her from 323 to 175 in the world rankings.

Commenting on her call-up, Taylor said: "It's going to be an awesome experience. It's a strange but overwhelming feeling to be part of the team for the first time."

GB Fed Cup captain and LTA senior national coach Anne Keothavong said: “Our team spirit is second to none and I’m delighted that Fed Cup debutante Gabi Taylor, who has improved her ranking 160 spots in the last four months, will be joining our seasoned doubles expert Anna Smith in our line-up.

“Fed Cup is a unique privilege to wear your nation’s colours and it’s something I know all of our team takes great pride in.

"Women’s tennis in the UK is at its highest point in over three decades and we now have eight players inside the world’s top 250, led by Johanna and Heather at the very top, who between them have played nearly 60 matches in the competition.”

The World Group II play-off will be broadcast live on TV by BT Sport, with radio coverage provided by BBC 5 Live and online coverage via BBC live events platform.

Play at the two-day event gets underway on Saturday, April 21 13:00 local time (5am in Britain) and Sunday, April 23 12:00 local time (4am in Britain).