The second reverse singles match in the Fed Cup clash between the USA and Australia features Sofia Kennin and Kimberly Birrell. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:30am (AEDT).
This match presents the opportunity to pull the tie back level after one nation will have taken the lead after the first of the reverse singles.
Alternatively, it is the potentially decisive match that settles the tie; making the doubles obsolete.
Australia’s Kimberly Birrell continues to ride the wave that she climbed aboard at the Australian Open in January.
Still ranked well outside the top 100, the young Aussie does look like a far better player than her current ranking suggests.
With still so much to learn at the age of 20, she was outclassed by Madison Keys on the opening day but should stand more of a chance against Kennin, the world number 36.
Kennin is also a youngster at 20 and still on the rise, yet has advanced beyond the first round of three of the four grand slam events; hinting at real quality.
Ashleigh Barty was too good for the young American on day one and Kennin will have learned a few lessons about the control and strategy required to move inside the top 20 in the rankings.
Today pits two young stars up against each other for what could be the first of many times. The home crowd will continue to be a factor and Birrell will have to be at her best to find a win today.
Prediction
Kennin has a definite edge in experience and maturity at this level and despite her own nervousness, should be able to comfortably handle the threat Birrell presents.
The Australian will need to play a close to perfect match to topple the American and she does have a chance.
However, it looks like a two-set win for Kennin with the home fans cheering her on.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 6:30am (AEDT).
Where: Cellular Arena, Asheville, North Carolina
When: Monday 11th February 2019, 6:30am (AEDT)
TV: 9 GEM
Betting: Sophia Kennin $1.45 Kimberly Birrell $2.95
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Danielle Collins has defeated Daria Gavrilova to level up the Federation Cup tie between the United States and Australia.
Collins started like a house on fire and blew the Australian away in the first set to the tune of 6 games to 1. Mysteriously, things slipped away for her in the second and the Aussie found some form to level the match up.
The 6-3 second set saw Gavrilova play more aggressively and Collins start to miss far more often from the baseline. Sadly for the Australian, as soon as she hit the front early in the third, Collins began finding the form she showed in the first set and in the end, steamrolled the Australian in the final part of the third.
It was a great debut for the American and she looks like being a real contender at the major championships this year. Now we move to the doubles, where the tie will be decided.
Final Score
Daria Gavrilova………..1 6 2
Danielle Collins……….6 3 6
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Danielle Collins has pulled the tie back to 2-2 and we will now wait and see the players chosen for the upcoming doubles. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 6
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Game, set and match to Collins. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 6
Stuart Thomas
Expert
15-40 Gavrilova comes to net for the put away and she saves one. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
00-40 Another winner from the American. Three match points. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
00-30 Cracking return from Collins. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
00-15 Double fault. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Gavrilova to serve. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
It looks like we are going to the deciding double rubber. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Collins has broken the Gavrilova serve and then held he own with another winning ground stroke to take a 5-2 lead in the third. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sorry about the break in coverage there for a moment, the stream dropped out for just a moment. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Game Collins. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
AD Collins. Good power from the American. Game point. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Deuce after a close call on the baseline and a challenge from the Australian is wasted. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
AD Gavrilova as Collins misses with the forehand down the line. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Deuce. Collins is long with her backhand. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
AD Collins. She plays a great point, comes to net and a deft volley wins it. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Deuce......she is long with the return this time. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
30-40 Gavrilova earns a break point. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
30-30 Now the Aussie is long with the forehand. Daria Gavrilova…….....1 6 2 Danielle Collins..........6 3 2