By Tennis Now | Sunday, April 21, 2019
Ash Barty became the first player in Fed Cup history to win all three rubbers in the Fed Cup opening round and semifinals leading Australia into the November Fed Cup final.
Photo credit: Fed Cup Facebook
Australia aimed to solidify its status as a Fed Cup power.
Mission accomplished.
Watch: WTA History Made
Ashleigh Barty partnered Samantha Stosur to lift Australia to a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka and clinch an emotional 3-2 victory over Belarus in the Fed Cup semifinals in Brisbane.
“The way that we went about that doubles match was pretty special, and I think the clarity that we had, the game plan that we had, we didn’t stray from it, we stuck to it, and in the big moments we brought our our best, and when you’re wearing the green and gold that’s pretty special,’’ Barty told Fed Cup.com afterward. “For me to be able to share this with the girls sitting here now it’s unreal, and the way that (captain Alicia Molik) has been able to create this team atmosphere and environment and this real want and desire to play for Australia again, it’s been unbelievable, it really has.
"It’s been a two or three year process to get to this point, we’ve taken our opportunities here and we’ve worked as a team. “It’s a want for all Australian players to show that we’re a powerhouse nation.’’
Aussie No. 1 Barty made history as the first player to win all three rubbers in a Fed Cup opening round and semifinals leading the green-and-gold to their first Fed Cup final in 26 years.
Australia will host either Romania or France in the November 9-10th final.
Barty beat Belarusian No. 1 Sabalenka, 6-2, 6-2 in today's opening reverse singles.
Former world No. 1 Azarenka swept Stosur, 6-1, 6-1, to force the decisive doubles match.
Australian captain Alicia Molik stuck with Stosur, the reigning Australian Open doubles champion along with Shuai Zhang, in the decisive doubles and that decision paid off.
"I’m obviously very, very happy, very pleased,’’ Stosur told Fed Cup.com afterward. “It was super-exciting playing out there in the dubs.
“Obviously the singles didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but to bounce back in 30 minutes and then come out and play as well as what we did, together, and with the team supporting us, that was just an incredible feeling. Amazing.’’