Christina McHale has hung on for a win over Samantha Stosur which puts the USA ahead 2-0 at the end of day one and mounts serious pressure on the Australians.
Samantha Stosur won the first set with a strong start but managed to hold on despite a shaky finish.
Her second set was extremely poor as she fell 1-6 to McHale who raced away to take the set after Stosur failed to put in a fight.
The third set was fought very closely with both McHale and Stosur producing some good play before McHale came away in the end managing to break serve and then serve for the match giving the USA a massive leg-up in their campaign to stay in the World Group for 2017.
There is now huge pressure on the Australians with Samantha Stosur taking on Madison Keys while Daria Gavrilova will meet with McHale before the doubles match.
Australia cannot afford to lose from here now with wins paramount tomorrow.
Final score:
Samantha Stosur 6 1 5
Christina McHale 3 6 7
Will Samantha Stosur be able to get Australia one step closer to a World Group berth in 2017 with a win over Christina McHale or will the American stop her in her tracks? Join The Roar for live scores from around 12:30pm (AEST).
After a five-week hiatus, Samantha Stosur has had some decent showings in recent weeks with the Australian looking to help her nation to a spot in the World Group in front of her home crowd at Brisbane.
Stosur had a good run at Charleston before being stopped during the third round by Sara Errani after wins over Aleksandra Krunic and Jana Cepelova.
Prior to that she went into the round of 16 at Indian Wells, her first appearance since Australia’s 3-2 loss to Slovakia in the Fed Cup five weeks earlier, but was defeated by Victoria Azarenka in three sets who went on to down world No.1 Serena Williams in straight sets during the final to take out the tournament.
The Australian has won six of her last ten matches and was Australia’s best player last time the nation played in the Fed Cup being the only squad member to win a rubber with two wins to her name over Jana Cepelova and Anna Schmiedlova.
Her opponent Christina McHale has caused some upsets in recent weeks defeating both Caroline Garcia and Garbine Muguruza at Indian Wells while sending world No.1 Serena Williams into three sets at Miami before eventually losing to her compatriot.
McHale faces a tough challenge with the American having never defeated Stosur in four meetings. One of those encounters came this year at Indian Wells with the Australian winning in three sets during the round of 32 at the masters tournament 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
Prediction
Samantha Stosur will win the match and put Australia one step closer to qualifying for the Fed Cup World Group next year.
Stosur in three sets.
Join The Roar for live scores from around 12:30pm (AEST) following the completion of Daria Gavrilova and Madison Keys.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's coverage of Samantha Stosur vs Christina McHale. The Roar will have live scores for the remainder of the tie from 11am (AEST) tomorrow as Australia face a tough challenge requiring three wins if they are to book a place in the World Group. I'll be back tomorrow for live coverage of GWS Giants vs Port Adelaide Power in the AFL from 1:10pm (AEST) and Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm in the NRL from 4pm (AEST). Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MATCH Aces: 3 - 1 Double Faults: 7 - 4 Total Winners: 27 - 34 Forehand Winners: 14 - 18 Backhand Winners: 7 - 12 1st Serve %: 76/112 (67%) - 54/87 (62%) 1st Serve Points Won: 46/76 (60%) - 40/54 (74%) 2nd Serve %: 29/36 (80%) - 29/33 (87%) 2nd Serve Points Won: 15/29 (51%) - 17/29 (58%) Break Points Won: 2/10 (20%) - 4/15 (26%) Net Points Won: 6/9 (66%) - 4/6 (66%) Forced Errors: 22 - 24 Unforced Errors: 44 - 33 Total Points Won: 91 - 108 Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 7
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MATCH Christina McHale has hung on for a win over Samantha Stosur which puts the USA ahead 2-0 at the end of day one and mounts serious pressure on the Australians. Samantha Stosur won the first set with a strong start but managed to hold on despite a shaky finish. Her second set was extremely poor as she fell 1-6 to McHale who raced away to take the set after Stosur failed to put in a fight. The third set was fought very closely with both McHale and Stosur producing some good play before McHale came away in the end managing to break serve and then serve for the match giving the USA a massive leg-up in their campaign to stay in the World Group for 2017. There is now huge pressure on the Australians with Samantha Stosur taking on Madison Keys while Daria Gavrilova will meet with McHale before the doubles match. Australia cannot lose from here now with wins paramount tomorrow. Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 7
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
END THIRD SET Aces: 2 - 0 Double Faults: 3 - 0 Total Winners: 14 - 16 Forehand Winners: 6 - 9 Backhand Winners: 5 - 5 1st Serve %: 41/52 (78%) - 22/34 (64%) 1st Serve Points Won: 25/41 (60%) - 20/22 (90%) 2nd Serve %: 8/11 (72%) - 12/12 (100%) 2nd Serve Points Won: 6/8 (75%) - 4/12 (33%) Break Points Won: 0/0 (0%) - 1/9 (11%) Net Points Won: 3/6 (50%) - 2/3 (66%) Forced Errors: 8 - 12 Unforced Errors: 19 - 13 Total Points Won: 41 - 45 Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 7
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MATCH Christina McHale has hung in the match to give the USA a 2-0 lead. Match report and statistics on the way. Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 7
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Match point, McHale with the open court goes to Stosur's left and takes the match Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 7
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
McHale goes down the line and hits the winner. Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 30 Christina McHale 3 6 6 40
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Stosur makes a crucial error, huge opportunity now for McHale to win this rubber Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 30 Christina McHale 3 6 6 30
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
McHale makes another unforced error, Stosur takes the lead in this game Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 30 Christina McHale 3 6 6 15
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Now McHale produces a nice winner just beating Stosur Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 15 Christina McHale 3 6 6 15
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
McHale on serve, she makes the unforced error going just too long Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 15 Christina McHale 3 6 6 0
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
McHale has an opportunity to serve for the rubber now Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Stosur on serve, she hits a winner at the net. McHale gets the next point before hitting a winner. Stosur then gets one of her own. McHale earns break point with a drop shot, Stosur makes the error. McHale breaks serve Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 6
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
McHale on serve, Stosur makes two errors. McHale then produces a winner off the forehand, Stosur returns serve with a winner. She makes the error and McHale holds serve Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Stosur holds serve. McHale serving to stay in the match now Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 4
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Stosur on serve, she takes the first point before hitting a winner. McHale forces an error, she hits a winner. Stosur makes an error, McHale does the same and Stosur holds Samantha Stosur 6 1 5 Christina McHale 3 6 4
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
McHale on serve, Stosur with a beautiful winner. Great way to open the game! She loses the next two points, McHale then hits the net following a good rally. Stosur makes an unforced error hitting the net, McHale holds serve Samantha Stosur 6 1 4 Christina McHale 3 6 4
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
What a game! Stosur holds serve! Samantha Stosur 6 1 4 Christina McHale 3 6 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Stosur on serve, she makes an error. The Australian gets the next point, Stosur makes an unforced error. Stosur hits an ace, her second of the match. She forces the error, break point. McHale hits the net, deuce. McHale down the line gets a winner. The American forces the error, deuce. Stosur takes advantage with a smash off the forehand. She slices and McHale hits it back down the line, deuce. The Australian takes advantage again, she makes an error. Stosur has time to produce a shot but makes the error. McHale makes the error. Stosur hits the top of the net and makes an error, break point. The Australian gets another ace. Stosur makes another error, she goes wide and Stosur hits a tight winner. Double fault, Stosur hits a winner and its back to deuce. McHale forces an error, Stosur holds serve Samantha Stosur 6 1 4 Christina McHale 3 6 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
McHale on serve, she makes an unforced error. Stosur hits a winner, brilliant start to this game by Stosur. The Australian makes two errors in a row. McHale on the comeback in this game now as Stosur hits the net. The Australian hits the net again and McHale holds serve. Samantha Stosur 6 1 3 Christina McHale 3 6 3