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2019 Fed Cup semi-final, Rubber 3 Australia vs Belarus Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane Ashleigh Barty (Australia) vs Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) |
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The all-important third rubber of Australia’s Fed Cup semi-final will feature Ashleigh Barty and Aryna Sabalenka in what should be an epic struggle between the two No.1 players. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1pm (AEDT).
Yesterday’s action left the tie locked at one-all, after Sabalenka managed to pick up an almost three-hour victory over Samantha Stosur, and Barty went past Victoria Azarenka in a tough straight sets defeat.
Barty undoubtedly looked the better of the two players throughout their first matches on the Pat Rafter Arena, but will be under extreme amounts of pressure today.
When Australia played away to the USA in the quarter-finals, it was Barty who won all three of the matches she was involved in to take Australia to victory, and it looks like the same thing will have to happen here.
Given the matches both of these players yesterday though, as well as the slight change in conditions between them humidity-wise, Barty will have an enormous recovery advantage here.
There is a slight chance Sabalenka will be subbed out of the match for Aliaksandra Sasnovich, but that looks more likely to happen in the second tie.
Barty was outstanding yesterday. She was solid on serve, fought back from any minor setbacks, and ran away from Azarenka in the end.
Given Sabalenka’s biggest problem is how many errors she is prone to, this match-up really suits Barty, who has better racquet head control than nearly any player on the WTA circuit.
Her pace around the back of the court should also suit the Aussie down to the ground, and while there will be times she struggles to defend the power of Sabalenka, in the long run, you’d have to think the Belarussian will need to be near-on perfect to pick up the victory here.
Prediction
Barty is under the pump, but her form line throughout 2019 is just so good. Sabalenka will need to be near perfect on serve, and based on what we saw yesterday, she will make far too many errors to take this from the Australian.
Barty in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this third rubber at the Fed Cup semi-finals between Australia and Belarus, and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: 1pm (AEDT)
Venue: Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane
TV: Live, 9Gem
Online: Live, 9Now
Betting: Barty $1.36, Sabalenka $3.25
Overall record: Played 3, Sabalenka 2, Barty 1
Last meeting: 2018 ZHuhai, Sabalenka defeat Barty 6-4, 6-4
Ashleigh Barty last 10 matches: won 8, lost 2
Aryna Sabalenka last 10 matches: won 6, lost 4
tsuru
Roar Rookie
It still seems a gamble to me, playing Stosur, when she will have to back up next match in the doubles if she loses to Azarenka. And I've just heard she is 1-9 against Azarenka. Maybe they are going to put Priscilla Hon in for the doubles, instead of the player ranked 17 in doubles and a current grand slam doubles title holder. Or maybe Sam is just a lot fitter than I think.
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
Well played Ash! Dominated from start to finish and ran the big Belarusian around the court. Hard to believe only one ranking place separates these 2, Barty just keeps getting better
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right, that's going to do it now. We will move on to Samantha Stosur vs Victoria Azarenka in the fourth rubber. Be sure to stick around for that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Huge win for Barty. She has dominated all the key moments of that match, and Australia are right on the front foot in this semi-final tie now. Sabalenka wasn't poor, but just fell apart after tough starts to both sets. Pressure off Sam Stosur for this next singles match. She is definitely playing, given Daria Gavrilova is still on the bench courtside for the Aussies. Barty........... 6 6 Sabalenka... 2 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, ASHLEIGH BARTY ACE! Barty wins it for Australia. There is a challenge, but it caught, and that is that! Australia have the 2-1 lead, and the worst they can do now is the doubles later on today. Barty........... 6 6 Sabalenka... 2 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Two match points for Barty and Australia! Barty........... 6 5 - 40 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Too good from Barty. Wide serve, then two follow up forehands - difficult ones - to put the point away. Barty........... 6 5 - 30 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Catches the centre service line. Challenged by Sabalenka, but this was in. Barty........... 6 5 - 15 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty starts with one up the middle, gets a good backhand return, then Barty slices into the net. Barty........... 6 5 - 0 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty to serve for the match, and to give Australia a 2-1 lead.
Scott Pryde
Expert
DOUBLE BREAK BARTY Barty is about to serve for the match! She grabs the double break, and this is going to be all over in a couple of minutes you'd think. Barty........... 6 5 - Sabalenka... 2 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Sabalenka, who then gets into the crosscourt rally, before smacking one up the other sideline. Barty challenges this, but it looked fine to me. Apparently, don't trust my eyes. Missed by a bit. Barty........... 6 4 - AD Sabalenka... 2 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty returns serve out this time. A good wide one from Sabalenka. Barty........... 6 4 - Sabalenka... 2 2 - deuce (2)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sabalenka now with a sliced backhand across the court, but she is really struggling being brought forward here, sending this wide. Point for the double break here. Barty........... 6 4 - AD Sabalenka... 2 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sabalenka with a fault, then Barty drops the return over and Sabalenka can't get the runner back into play. Barty........... 6 4 - Sabalenka... 2 2 - deuce (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Sabalenka. The second is at the body and returned on a solid backhand. Barty now has to defend, but puts the running forehand into the net from well behind the baseline. Barty........... 6 4 - 30 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Sabalenka, then she is forced to return off the baseline, before sending a runner long. Barty........... 6 4 - 30 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty returns a serve long here. Barty........... 6 4 - 15 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sabalenka goes wide on the serve, then gets inside the baseline and smacks a backhand winner up the opposite sideline. Barty........... 6 4 - 15 Sabalenka... 2 2 - 15