Ash Barty has levelled Australia’s Fed Cup semi-final against Belarus with a 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 win over Fed Cup superstar and former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka had to this point won 13-straight Fed Cup singles matches, dating back to 2010 but Barty was all over her, especially in the second set. Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka had the upper hand early, as the pair traded breaks to start the opening set but it was Barty who showed impressive resolve later on as things got tight. Serving at five-all the Australian staved off three consecutive break points to hold serve from 0-40 down with some big serves, including taking a chance at 30-40 when she went for a massive second serve. It was a turning point — as the Australian went on to take the breaker 7-2. The pair again traded breaks of serve across the first four games of the second set before Barty finally consolidated for a 4-2 lead over Azarenka, going on to break her again at 5-3 to take the match as Azarenka, who had saved two match points, dumped a forehand into the net. Barty was at her best when she was using the angles and pulling the powerful Azarenka around the court to force an error — a tactic she may need to use again in the reverse singles. Her win put the tie against last year’s runners up back on balance at 1-1 and she will get things underway on Sunday when she takes on Aryna Sabalenka, who has won their last two matches in straight sets, in the opening rubber of the day. Barty was well aware of her poor record against her fellow rising star on the WTA Tour. “This is really special playing at home, this is unreal,” Barty said. “For me personally (the task) is get my head around Aryna tomorrow, I don’t have a fantastic record against her, so hopefully we can change that.” Barty’s performance against Azarenka earned the praise of Australian tennis royalty as Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, who led Australia to their last Fed Cup victory in 1974 proclaimed the tennis world “is her oyster”. “She’s got great hands, fantastic, it (the slice backhand) was something I enjoyed in my career,” she said. “Every time I saw her do that I thought ‘oh that must have felt good’. “A lot of the players today, with the style and grip, don’t seem to like that shot and it’s helped her get through a lot of matches. “It’s such a pleasure to watch Ash play. She’s got so many skills, has improved out of sight. “I think she’s quite capable of winning a grand slam and has proved it already.” Sabalenka earlier extended Sam Stosur’s hometown horror streak to four straight losses in Brisbane. The 20-year-old prevailed 7-5 5-7 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena in a nervy contest that lasted nearly three hours, featured 17 breaks of serve and as many momentum swings. Stosur fought from a set and break down but the world No. 10’s power game eventually proved too much. Sabalenka was destructive on two fronts, mixing unbeatable tennis with regular unforced errors while Stosur did well to match her power from the back of the court. The Belarusian coupled 15 double faults with 37 winners across the contest to ensure there was always pressure on her serve. Every time she looked to seize control Stosur would find a way back in, with five consecutive breaks of Sabalenka’s serve in the second set helping the Australian get back on level terms. Sabalenka lifted a gear in the third set and a series of brutal forehand winners landed her the crucial break as the rowdy crowd armed with horns and a drum rode every point. “I was disappointed not to get through that one and win it but I don’t think there’s a lot I could change or do differently,” Stosur, who rated it the best Fed Cup atmosphere she’d experienced, said. “I’m really proud of that performance … really enjoyed the moment and was enjoying the crowd. “I hit the ball well, hit it hard … a couple of moments in that third set she came up with some clutch returns and that’s why she’s top 10.” Captain Alicia Molik seemed to intimate that it might not be Stosur who takes on Azarenka tomorrow. Speaking after Barty’s match, Molik seemed to indicate she might keep Stosur fresh for a potential live and deciding doubles rubber, where the veteran would team with Barty. “We’re pretty good at this situation, I was just so rapt,” Molik said of the day’s play. “It was a miraculous performance from Sam in front of her home crowd and Ash brought it home strong to stand us in a great position. “We are prepared for the final rubber if need be, we have a strong doubles team and now what it presents is a few opportunities in our team.” Molik could call on Stosur for Sunday’s reverse singles or opt to inject either Priscilla Hon or Daria Gavrilova. —With Murray Wenzel AAP<doc-sep>Barty had some trouble in the first set against the two-time Australian Open champion and saved three break points at 5-5 to go on to win 7-6(2) 6-3 and level the tie at 1-1. Aryna Sabalenka earlier gave Belarus a strong start to the tie when she beat former U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur 7-5 5-7 6-3 in two hours, 47 minutes. "I knew the first set would be key," Barty said of her match against her current doubles partner. Roland-Garros Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in same half of juicy French Open draw YESTERDAY AT 15:19 Ashleigh Barty of Australia embraces Victoria Azarenka of Belarus following their first round match of the Fed Cup tennis semi-final between Australia and Belarus at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane on April 20, 2019 Image credit: Getty Images I dug myself into a hole in that 5-5 game but I went back to what I do well and got out of it. "For me it was just about me coming out and doing every thing right. I prepared really well all week." World number 10 Sabalenka looked completely out of sorts in the first two sets against Stosur, with both players struggling to hold serve. Sabalenka, however, turned up her power game in the third and after establishing a 4-1 lead blew her first match point opportunity in the eighth game on Stosur's serve when she blasted a backhand volley wide with the court open. She raced out to a 40-0 lead in the next game and while Stosur saved her second match point, the Australian sent a backhand long on the next point that gave Belarus a 1-0 lead. Ashleigh Barty of Australia celebrates her victory over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their first round match of the Fed Cup tennis semi-final between Australia and Belarus at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane on April 20, 2019. Image credit: Getty Images "It was an unbelievable match," Sabalenka said. "She played so quick, I couldn't touch the ball on her returns. You must fight for each point. I'm happy to have handled her level today Australia captain Alicia Molik praised Stosur's performance but also hinted that she may change her lineup for the reverse singles on Sunday, depending on how the 35-year-old recovers. Australia are attempting to reach their first Fed Cup final since 1993. They have not won the title since 1974. Belarus were beaten 3-2 by the United States in their only Fed Cup final appearance in Minsk in 2017. Roland-Garros French Open talking points: Will Nadal and Swiatek repeat? How will Federer fare? 26/05/2021 AT 07:43<doc-sep>Ashleigh Barty and Samantha Stosur of Australia celebrate winning against Belarus. An Ashleigh Barty-powered Australia seized their moment when tennis briefly stole the spotlight in April but they aren’t done yet after booking the country’s first Fed Cup finals appearance in 26 years. World No.9 Barty won all three of her matches in Brisbane to improve her unbeaten run to 14 in the teams event and become the first women to win all six matches on the way to a Fed Cup decider. A tense weekend came down to the doubles rubber, with Barty and Samantha Stosur beating Belarus pair Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenko in a thrilling decider 7-5 3-6 6-2. Australia will host the final in November against the winner of France and Romania, a tie which is currently locked at 1-1. Sam Stosur and Ash Barty of Australia celebrate winning the first set. Source: AAP Australian captain Alicia Molik remained calm on the sidelines but beneath that exterior was fully aware of the significance as Australia chase their first title since 1974. “It was just an incredible weekend,” Molik said. “How fabulous for them (the crowd) to watch role models like this... I hope they were watching us, not (AFL team) Carlton. “Everyone loves to support the Aussies, but the Aussie Open feels like it comes and goes so quickly (in January). “I feel fortunate... to have the stage in April and we’ll get to share it again in November. “I don’t remember anyone talking about just making the final and I think that’s a good thing.” Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in action. Source: AAP Barty was a class above all weekend and it wasn’t missed by a gracious Belarus team who were led on Sunday by former world No.1 and two-time Australian Open winner Azarenka. Her 6-1 6-1 domination of Stosur gave Belarus the momentum after Barty had beaten world No.10 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-2 to edge Australia ahead 2-1. “It was that close; the whole weekend was just an extraordinary display of women’s tennis and I was just so happy to be a part of that,” Azarenka said. “They just took their opportunities a little better. “They were really good today... for me personally I walked off with a smile because I’m very proud of my team.” Ashleigh Barty of Australia stretches for the ball at Pat Rafter Arena. Source: Getty Images An Australian Fed Cup record crowd of 9554 across both days sat mesmerised as both teams threw everything at each other in the tie. Barty was ice cool all weekend, striding calmly onto court with three-year-old niece Lucy in her arms on Sunday before switching into game mode. Molik’s decision to stick with Stosur for both of Sunday’s matches was a brave one, but the 35-year-old recovered remarkably. Blown away by Azarenka earlier in the day — Stosur only held serve once all match — the veteran reset to improve her perfect Fed Cup doubles record to 8-0 thanks to some quick hands and assured court craft under immense pressure. Both women will depart for the clay and grass courts of Europe before returning for a November home final in a city to be confirmed. FED CUP SEMI FINAL Sabalenka bt Stosur 7-5 5-7 6-3 Barty bt Azarenka 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 Barty bt Sabalenka 6-2 6-2 Azarenka bt Stosur 6-1 6-1 Barty/Stosur bt Azarenka/Sabalenka 7-5 3-6 6-2<doc-sep>
Sam Stosur and Ashleigh Barty have sent Australia into their first Fed Cup final in 26 years by taking out the deciding doubles tie against the Belarusian team of Victoria Azarenka and world No. 10 Aryna Sabalenka. They took out what was a rollercoaster of a match 7-5 3-6 6-2 on Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena to book a showdown against either France or Romania in November. They took the opening set after breaking at 6-5 up before the Belarusian pair hit back to take the second set 6-3. But in the final set the Australians turned it on, especially Stosur who late in her career may have finally put away some of the mental demons that have plagued her when playing at home. Stosur was steely and immense in the final set, upping her game to the levels that saw her claim multiple slam doubles titles and the 2011 US Open singles title. Her volleying and serve were solid, while her shot selection was also spot on, with her forehand as dangerous as ever. This tennis is absolutely breathtaking! A huge break for the Aussies 🇦🇺#FedCup #AUSBLR pic.twitter.com/L55Wy0LjWO — Fed Cup (@FedCup) April 21, 2019 Todd Woodbridge called Stosur’s final set “her best all weekend” before also praising her for her mental strength in bouncing back. “It was such a classy performance by her,” Woodbridge said of Stosur’s performance. Stosur herself said she never doubted herself despite a 6-1 6-1 hammering in her reverse singles at the hands of Azarenka — in a match where she looked sluggish and off the pace — but in the doubles Stosur was sharp. “I was ready to come out here and play some good doubles with Ash, we had never played together before and knew it was going to be a tough one,” Stosur said. “It’s just super exciting to be in a Fed Cup final. We have all worked so hard all year and will give it our best shot here in November.” In the reverse singles Stosur it was a dominant performance from Azarenka, who performed like the player she once was when she was world No. 1 and Stosur had no answers for her in a rubber where she could have clinched the tie after Barty had earlier put Australia on the brink of victory, when she crushed world No. 10 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-2. The win gave Australia a 2-1 edge in the semi-final tie and put them on the verge of a chance at their first title in the event since 1974. "Ash Barty puts Australia into the lead!" A 10-1 singles record and a 16-2 overall record - an amazing @FedCup career.#AUSBLR #GoAussies pic.twitter.com/34VQ3Xxi0V — TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) April 21, 2019 Barty proved too steady for the freewheeling Sabalenka, grinding away on her opponent’s serve until it eventually proved too much for the Belarusian. Sabalenka’s serving woes of Saturday returned, with six double faults among 16 unforced errors in the first set compared to Barty’s seven. Conversely, Barty served well in the clutch moments, fending off the early pressure and sealing the first set with an ace. It was more of the same in the second set as Barty produced in the big moments to save four break points across her first two service games. Sabalenka was the first to crack when she handed the 22-year-old Barty a break with a loose forehand and double fault for a 3-2 lead. Barty didn’t need another invitation and she broke Sabalenka again before she served out the match. Australia’s No. 1 walked onto court with three-year-old niece Lucy in her arms to start the day and brought her into the post-match press conference. With Lucy sitting next to her, Barty credited Stosur for exposing some cracks in Sabalenka’s armour on Saturday. “I was able to take advantage of it today, particularly on return games,” Barty said. “It was a wrestle, it was important to hang in there physically and continue to build pressure.” —With AAP