LIVE SCORES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fed Cup Final, Rubber 4, reverse singles | |||
| Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia | |||
| S1 | S2 | S3 | |
| Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) | 6 | 7 | |
| Pauline Parmentier (FRA) | 4 | 5 | |
| Match duration: 1 hour, 32 minutes | |||
Ajla Tomljanovic has recorded a huge straight-sets victory to take Australia to a doubles decider against France in the Fed Cup final.
Final score
Ajla Tomljanovic 6 7
Pauline Parmentier 4 5
The Fed Cup Final could be over by the end of the fourth rubber, as Ajla Tomlajnovic and Caroline Garcia battle to keep things alive and end the tie for Australia and France. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 5pm (AEDT).
Update:
France have swapped Caroline Garcia with Pauline Parmentier.
The fourth rubber of any Fed Cup tie is a sudden death tennis match, and while at the time of writing it’s unclear which player will be in the must-win position, one would expect it to be the visitors given the strength of Barty at the present time.
Garcia was wiped off the floor yesterday by Barty in a 6-0, 6-0 drubbing, and while her form has been sketchy heading into this final tie, she has played at an incredibly high level as recently as early 2018.
There is a chance Garcia gets replaced by Alize Cornet for this match, given Garcia needs to play doubles, but it’s likely she will stay on court.
Tomljanovic is in the same boat, having been blown away by Kristina Mladenovic yesterday in the opening match 6-1, 6-1, but is also expected to stay on court, keeping Samantha Stosur fresh for doubles and not exposing inexperienced duo Astra Sharma or Priscila Hon.
While the naturalised Aussie is a fighter, she will need to be at the absolute peak of her powers to stop either Garcia or Cornet, given the depth of shot and serve the French can play with.
Tomljanovic will need to hit all the right angles on her own serve and try to put a little pressure on early, avoiding falling behind on the scoreboard and ending up in a similar position to yesterday, where confidence will become an issue.
Garcia’s form has been poor throughout the season, but she was in the top ten less than 24 months ago, so it’s clear what she is capable of.
The pair have never played before this meeting, giving us little to go on.
Prediction
This is a real tough one to tip. Neither player has been in good form, but the ceiling for Garcia to play under pressure – as she did during 2018 – seems higher at this point.
All going as expected, she wins this in a hard-fought battle and we will have doubles ahead this afternoon.
Garcia in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this fourth rubber at the Fed Cup Final between Australia and France from around 5pm (AEDT) or about 20 minutes after the completion of the day’s earlier match between Ashleigh Barty and Kristina Mladenovic, and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: Around 5pm (AEDT)
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth
TV: Live, Channel 9
Online: Live, 9Now
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
And if the world number 1 had done her job properly Australia would already have the Fed Cup wrapped up for the first time in 45 years!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Or as I call him, "Pryde and Prejudice". :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Awesome! Nicely set up for the doubles. Great call again Mr. Pryde. As usual.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for following the coverage of the fourth rubber at the Fed Cup Final as Ajla Tomljanovic kept Australia alive. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Now we head off to the doubles. They should get underway at about 20 minutes past the hour, but you can join me for the match here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just immense from Tomljanovic. Now, Stosur and Barty to take on Garcia and Mladenovic for the Fed Cup. That gets underway in about half an hour.
Simoc
Guest
Great effort Tomljanovic. Fantastic. And great result for the coach to.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, AJLA TOMLJANOVIC Huge from Tomljanovic. She has won this won in straight sets with Parmentier sending a backhand long, way past the baseline, and we are going to doubles to decide the Fed Cup for 2019. What a moment. Probably the best win of her career to date. Tomljanovic... 6 7 Parmentier..... 4 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
And a fault from Parmentier. The second is returned on a backhand, then Parmentier shanks a forehand wide. 2 match points for Tomljanovic. Tomljanovic... 6 6 - 40 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tomljanovic playing with great depth there. Excellent stuff, and Parmentier now puts a backhand into the net. Tomljanovic... 6 6 - 30 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Down the T goes Parmentier. Tomljanovic returns well, then it's a longer point, but a cracking crosscourt forehand to put it away. Tomljanovic... 6 6 - 15 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Parmentier on serve. Up to the net, then manages to keep an overhead in backpedalling. Longer point, but then Parmentier puts a ball into the net off the ground. Tomljanovic... 6 6 - 15 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tomljanovic goes with a wide serve here, then back in behind and Parmentier returns the ball long. Tomljanovic... 6 6 - Parmentier..... 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Too good. Tomljanovic with a couple of good forehands, then a brave, but excellent, backhand down the sideline. Tomljanovic... 6 5 - 40 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve. Very sharp and Parmentier can only return that long on the forehand. Tomljanovic... 6 5 - 30 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve up the middle. Returned to the baseline though and Tomljanovic nets a defensive forehand. Tomljanovic... 6 5 - 15 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tomljanovic now grabs the first point on serve as she looks to be first to six. Great drop volley. Tomljanovic... 6 5 - 15 Parmentier..... 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Super kick serve down the middle, Tomljanovic can't return and we are locked up again. Tomljanovic... 6 5 - Parmentier..... 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Parmentier with another big serve and that's not coming back. Tomljanovic... 6 5 - 0 Parmentier..... 4 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Parmentier with a sharp serve out wide. Tomljanovic can't return. Tomljanovic... 6 5 - 0 Parmentier..... 4 4 - 30