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2019 Fed Cup semi-final, Rubber 1 Australia vs Belarus Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane Samantha Stosur (Australia) vs Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) |
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Samantha Stosur and Aryna Sabalenka will kick-off the Fed Cup semi-final between Australia and Belarus, and with the tie expected to be tight, it’ll be crucial for both teams. Join The Roar for live scores of the first rubber from 1pm (AEDT).
There isn’t much between these two nations, so the one nothing lead early on will be crucial in easing the pressure for Ashleigh Barty and Victoria Azarenka, who will take the court in the second rubber.
Stosur is an interesting selection for Australia, with the veteran in inconsistent form to say the least. While Daria Garilova and Priscilla Hon sit on the sideline watching on, the 35-year-old will need to draw on all her experience to get the job done against Sabalenka.
In saying that, Stosur had a solid run at her most recent tournament in Miami, cruising past Evgeniya Rodina in the first round, then battling past Madison Keys in three sets.
She eventually fell to Ashleigh Barty, but Stosur was serving well during that tournament, and will need that to continue moving forward if she is to contend with Sabalenka.
Before that though, she was out in the first round at Indian Wells against Madison Brengle, then got smoked in straight sets by Karolina Muchova after qualifying in Dubai.
As we know, Stosur’s game is built off her serve, and if that fires, then she is a chance.
On the other end of the court, Sabalenka – rated as one of the fastest rising prospects on the women’s tour – has also been a little inconsistent in recent times.
She made the third round of the Australian Open this year and followed it up with a semi-final appearance in St Petersburg, but has since struggled, including losing a match she should have won quite easily against Alja Tomljanovic in Miami.
Sabalenka sometimes struggles with her movement around the court, and so Stosur must keep her on the run throughout the contest, working the ball into the corners and hitting with accuracy.
If the Belarussian can’t serve well and put Stosur on the back foot early in points, then she will have major problems, however, she was a career-high rank of No.9 in February, and got there for a reason.
Even with her form a little up and down, Stosur is prone to a collapse, especially on home soil.
The pair have had one previous meeting, with Sabalenka winning their first-round encounter at New Haven 6-3, 6-2 last year.
Prediction
Stosur has home court advantage, but she has found ways to lose matches from all sorts of positions in 2019, so it’s tough to tip here against someone like Sabalenka, with the 20-year-old Belarusian one of the fastest-rising prospects in the sport.
Sabalenka in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this first rubber at the Fed Cup semi-finals from 1pm (AEDT) 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: Australia $1.87, Belarus $1.87
Overall record: Played 1, Sabalenka 1, Stosur 0
Last meeting: 2018 New Haven 1st round – Sabalenka defeat Stosur 6-3, 6-2
Samantha Stosur last 10 matches: won 4, lost 6
Aryna Sabalenka last 10 matches: won 5, lost 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
I get the feeling part of it was the conditions - very, very heavy. But you're right, it was a very strange first two sets before Sabalenka finally worked what she was doing.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I didn’t see the second set Scott. It was very late here in New York. But the first 2 were very strange. It was as if each player had been told not to let any point go beyond five shots. So many unforced errors off frames and so many enormous winners. And Stosur had so many first serve faults into the net. She seemed to be pushing too hard for a flat first serve. She could have used that kick serve of hers much more.
Simoc
Guest
Just wish I'de watched it. Got my timing wrong.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right, that'll do it on coverage of the opening rubber here, but right now, you can switch across and join me for Ashleigh Barty and Victoria Azarenka. They should be on court in about 15 minutes.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, BELARUS Sablenka with another fault. Stosur now pushed to the corner on a big backhand, and she can only send that long on the run. Sabalenka, after 2 hours and 47 minutes on court, takes the win, and Belarus have a 1-0 lead. Stosur......... 5 7 3 Sabalenka... 7 5 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sabalenka with a double fault now. There goes one match point. Stosur......... 5 7 3 - 15 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Three match points. Sabalenka straight up to the net here, volleying away for the winner. Stosur......... 5 7 3 - 0 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sabalenka serves wide, then plays a backhand with depth. Stosur can only put it into the net, and now it's starting to look very, very over. Stosur......... 5 7 3 - 0 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sabalenka starts well there. Serve down the T, then a backhand inside out after a short return. Stosur......... 5 7 3 - 0 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
All power from Stosur. Wide serve, forehand back in behind, then the inside out one from the edge of the service box. She holds, but Sabalenka will now serve for the match, and a 1-0 lead in the tie. Stosur......... 5 7 3 - Sabalenka... 7 5 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve chipped back into play, then Stosur gets a bit of momentum, working Sabalenka around the court, before she puts a runner long. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - AD Sabalenka... 7 5 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sabalenka had it there. Incredible hustle from Stosur to get back to a lob, putting one into the air herself, then Sabalenka misses the backhand at the net crosscourt. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - deuce (2) Sabalenka... 7 5 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Stosur. The second is just all power from Sabalenka - a backhand down the line, then one crosscourt, and it's match point for Belarus. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault. The second is ripped back on a forehand, and Stosur nets a backpedalling backhand. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - deuce (1) Sabalenka... 7 5 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur with a fault, then she goes with the backhand, before a crosscourt one goes long. Crucial point coming up here. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - 40 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve. Returned loopy and short, with Stosur then putting the overhead away. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - 40 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur goes wide on the serve, the forehand is back at Stosur on the return, and the Aussie then sends one wide. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - 30 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Stosur. The second is returned on a forehand, but straight into the net by the Belarussian. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - 30 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur to serve again, and she must hold now. Up the T, and Sabalenka can't return. Stosur......... 5 7 2 - 15 Sabalenka... 7 5 5 - 0