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By Chris Oddo | Saturday November 11, 2017

 
Aryna Sabalenka

19-year-old Aryna Sabalenka outlasted Sloane Stephens to level the Fed Cup final at one apiece on Saturday in Minsk.

Photo Source: AFP

It’s all even in Minsk.

CoCo Vandeweghe gave Team U.S.A. an early lead with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the Fed Cup final on Saturday but 19-year-old Aryna Sabalenka answered back for Belarus by defeating Sloane Stephens to level the tie at one apiece heading into reverse singles on Sunday.

Sabalenka is the player that clinched Belarus’ first trip to the Fed Cup final in April when she defeated Viktorija Golubic, crushing 33 winners to just 10 for the Swiss.

Sabalenka hit 31 on Saturday against just 12 for 2017 U.S. Open winner Stephens (including 14 backhand winners to just one for the American), and rallied behind the emotion of the packed house at Chizhovka Arena to score the emotional win, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.


Earlier Vandeweghe looked decisive in remaining undefeated this Fed Cup season with her straight sets win over Sasnovich. The American cracked eight aces and won 22 of 31 first serve points to claim victory in one hour and 31 minutes.

Vandeweghe improved to 5-0 in singles and 6-0 overall in this Fed Cup season. She will bid to become just the ninth player to roll through a full season undefeated since World Group play began in 1995 when she meets Sabalenka on Sunday.


“That’s my job as No. 1 singles player, to get ourselves on the board today in the first match,” Vandweghe said.

 

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