World Group II action in the Fed Cup gets underway in the Ukraine with Lesia Tsurenko looking to get the hosts off to a victory in the first rubber over Australia’s top-ranked player at the tie, Daria Gavrilova. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10pm (AEDT).
With the Australian’s leaving the out of sorts Samantha Stosur out of the tie, it hands the mantle of top ranked player to Daria Gavrilova and the pressure will be on the adopted Aussie from the start.
Given the Ukraine have named world No.13 Elina Svitolina in their team, this is almost must win in the context of the tie for the Australians.
Gavrilova will give herself a fighting chance in this match as well, but she has never had much luck against her opponent in the first rubber, Lesia Tsurenko.
The pair have faced off on three previous occasions, with Tsurenko winning all three. In saying that, Gavrilova was half the player she is now during those meetings, the last coming in 2015 so reversing history playing for the green and gold is a good chance of happening.
Gavrilova has made a strong start to the 2017 season, using her seeding to move into the fourth round of the Australian Open before exiting at the hands of Karolina Pliskova.
She then went to St Petersburg and was knocked out in the second round by Svetlana Kuznetsova. Despite that, she has been playing good tennis and her defence, the best part of her game, has been strong.
The Australian does struggle with big serving and a lot of power at times though, so on an expected faster court in Kharkiv, she will need to contain that part of Tsurenko’s game.
Tsurenko started the season at the WTA event in Hobart, making the semi-finals before coming up against Angelique Kerber in the first round of the Australian Open, predictably being knocked out in straight sets.
While Tsurenko isn’t in the top echelon of the tour, she has just about cracked the top 50 in terms of rankings and at 27 years of age has a wealth of experience to draw on.
The hard court is by far her best surface, but she will still have trouble with Gavrilova, who has a tendency to play consistently long points and get a lot of balls back into play.
Prediction
Gavrilova, despite being away from home is one of the best in the world and consitently improves. Leading the Fed Cup team will be a big deal for her and in a must-win tie, she will hold her nerve under pressure.
Gavrilova in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the first rubber in this Fed Cup tie between the Ukraine and Australia from 10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to drop a comment below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage of this match. You can join the call of Elina Svitolina vs Ashleigh Barty here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/02/11/elina-svitolina-vs-ashleigh-barty-ukraine-vs-australia-fed-cup-rubber-2-tennis-live-scores-blog/
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, a really disappointing performance from Gavrilova in what was realistically a must-win tie for Australia. Ukraine favourites for the tie now, with the pressure on Ashleigh Barty up next.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH LESIA TSURENKO That's it! All over! What a match for Tsurenko who wins the first rubber in a blitz. It took 1 hour and 14 minutes with Gavrilova sending a forehand long. She smashes the racquet as she gets back to the chair and that's a frustrating loss for Australia. They are under serious pressure for the rest of the weekend now. Lesia Tsurenko 6 6 Daria Gavrilova 2 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tsurenko with a body serve and Gavrilova gets one forehand in, but then hands match point away with a forehand into the net. Tsurenko 6 5 - 40 Gavrilova 2 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gavrilova looks to run around a body serve now, but can only plant the forehand wide. Tsurenko 6 5 - 30 Gavrilova 2 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bad unforced error on the forehand from Tsurenko now, finding the net. Tsurenko 6 5 - 15 Gavrilova 2 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tsurenko hitting far too short here and on the defensive, but gets a let off with Gavrilova not quite getting a half volley on the attack, sending it long. Tsurenko 6 5 - 15 Gavrilova 2 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tsurenko serving for the match and she starts with a nervous looking fault. The second is at the body and well returned with a forehand, Tsurenko sending one wide. Tsurenko 6 5 - 0 Gavrilova 2 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tsurenko just lost her way a little bit there. Could of unforced errors and another one here, sending the forehand wide. Gavrilova now needs to break to keep the match alive. Tsurenko 6 5 - Gavrilova 2 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gavrilova with a fault, but picks up the next two points pretty easily. Tsurenko 6 5 - 0 Gavrilova 2 2 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gavrilova with a fault and she is under all sorts of pressure. Tsurenko makes the unforced backhand error though. Tsurenko 6 5 - 0 Gavrilova 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve and Gavrilova looks to run around it, but sends the forehand wide. Gavrilova now serving to stay in the match. Tsurenko 6 5 - Gavrilova 2 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gavrilova comes to the net now with a net chord, hits the forehand down the line and then can't reach the passing shot for a volley. Tsurenko 6 4 - 40 Gavrilova 2 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bad error from Tsurenko on the forehand now. Tsurenko 6 4 - 30 Gavrilova 2 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tsurenko with a wide serve and then puts the forehand down the line for the winner. Tsurenko 6 4 - 30 Gavrilova 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gavrilova returns serve on a short backhand this time, is then forced behind the baseline and can only put the backhand into the net. Tsurenko 6 4 - 15 Gavrilova 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Longer rally to open this Tsurenko service game and she sends a forehand long. Tsurenko 6 4 - 0 Gavrilova 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve down the middle and Gavrilova has aimed up for a forehand, but sent it wide. The racquet goes slamming into the court and this is just about over. Tsurenko 6 4 - Gavrilova 2 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve and Gavrilova is on the back foot, now putting a forehand into the net. Break point Tsurenko and this could be the match right here. Tsurenko 6 3 - AD Gavrilova 2 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gavrilova with a fault and then a body serve. Tsurenko returns well and Gavrilova, sliding into a forehand can only find the net. Tsurenko 6 3 - Gavrilova 2 2 - deuce (1)