Australian tennis star Daria Gavrilova has been keeping an eye on up-and-coming Destanee Aiava ahead of the teen's Fed Cup debut in this month's World Group II playoff against Serbia.
The 23-year-old Gavrilova has been named alongside Aiava, Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua for the indoor tie in Zrenjanin on April 22-23.
"I have been watching her (Aiava) for a long time now because I feel she is a really tough competitor and she is playing great," Gavrilova told First Serve.
"She is a great girl a bit shy but she is very young.
"We are all really excited to welcome her to the team...it is going to be a great experience for her."
Despite ranking 27th in the world, Gavrilova says there isn't much difference between a player who is ranked in the top 100 and a player in the top 50.
"I don't think there is a big gap right now," she said.
"Sometimes you will lose against a player who is below you... and then you will see them crack the top 20 and you realise everyone is playing well, everyone is playing hard."
But when it comes to getting picked by Australian captain Alicia Molik, Gavrilova says ranking has no place - it is all about performing well in the training week beforehand.
"Alicia just picks the best on that week," she said.
"You really have to show that you deserve it on the practice courts and off the court as well in the gym and we are all going to fight for the spot."
While the Russian-born Gavrilova admits it gets "pretty competitive", she's certain her hard work will pay off.
"I will probably get to play because I have been training really hard and hopefully I can show the hard work in the practice week just before the matches," she said.
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