Australia's women tennis players suffered a shock loss to Ukraine on Sunday to be dumped from the elite Fed Cup World Group. Ukraine won the play-off tie 3-2 to send Australia back to the lower tier World Group II.
Scores were level after the two reverse singles rubbers on Sunday, with Ukraine taking the crucial doubles rubber in three sets on a clay court in Melbourne. World number 30 Jarmila Groth gave Australia a 2-1 edge on the final day with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Lesia Tsurenko. However, Ukraine's Olga Savchuk levelled the tie when she beat Anastasia Rodionova 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (14-12).
In the doubles, Australia got off to a flying start, winning the first set 6-0 before Ukraine battled back to win the match and the tie with a 0-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory.
Despite the decision of world number six Sam Stosur to skip the tie to prepare for the French Open, Australia was confident of winning and captain David Taylor said his team was devastated to be sent reeling out of the World Group by just one point.
"I guess we'd hoped to win it in the singles and we realistically didn't think it would come down to the doubles," Taylor said.
3 comments:
Off topic: Stuttgart.
Lickitongue has won won her first two qualifying rounds, one more and she will reach the main draw. KImiko was upset in the second round of qualies.
JJ has a tough draw she has to go through Kvitova in the first round, and possibly Petkovic second round. Whomever of the three makes it, will have to face either WickiWickiWicki or The Big Stuffed Bunny in the quarters.
Speaking of bunnies, there is a major possibility she will lose her stash of eggs before Easter.
Sponge Bart starts tomorrow against Pironkova.
I'm keeping an eye on Kvitova, she had horrendous results at I.W. and Miami.
Why isn't Peer playing until Madrid? Thought she might crack the top ten before plummeting to the 20-30 range where she belongs.
Great for Lickitongue! Too bad she didn't just get a WC and skip the qualis.
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