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2019 Fed Cup semi-final, Rubber 4 Australia vs Belarus Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane Samantha Stosur (Australia) vs Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) |
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The penultimate fourth rubber of the Fed Cup semi-final between Australia and Belarus will see veterans Samantha Stosur and Victoria Azarenka clash on Pat Rafter Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 3pm (AEDT).
Given yesterday’s matches, when Stosur lost to Aryna Sabalenka, and Azarenka lost to Ashleigh Barty, there is every chance both teams will swing the changes for this fourth rubber.
It’ll be critical to take the point for both sides, given they come into Day 2 locked at one-all.
The options to replace for both teams will be Daria Gavrilova for Australia, and Aliaksandra Sasnovich for the visitors – who are both more than up to the task of taking this on.
Stosur, who played in the first match yesterday, struggled to hold her serve against Sabalenka, but also had no problems breaking back in one of the stranger matches you’re ever likely to see.
This match-up is one which should suit the Aussie much better though, particularly given Azarenka has lost some of the defensive ability out of the corners of the court which took her to be formerly No.1 in the world.
The Aussie will need to use her power and get on the attack where possible though, because Azarenka still has excellent court movement and can hit the ball strongly herself.
At times yesterday, Azarenka looked like she was going to break down Barty with that groundstroke game, but in the long run, struggled to put the Aussie away, before being overwhelmed as she struggled playing the enormous amount of variations from the other end of the court.
Azarenka, in the long run, has a stunning record against Stosur, having won nine of their ten career encounters, however, they haven’t played since Azarenka’s injury, which rubber her out of the sport for a year in 2017.
The Belarussian hasn’t been at the same level since that point in time, but she should come away with the win over the ageing veteran of Australian tennis.
Prediction
Should Azarenka and Stosur both line-up for this fourth rubber, you’d have to tip Azarenka, who was solid, but outclassed by Barty yesterday. Stosur will make her fight for it, as she did to Sabalenka yesterday.
Azarenka in three sets
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the 2019 Fed Cup semi-finals from around 3pm (AEDT) or at the completion of the third rubber, and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: Around 3pm (AEDT)
Venue: Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane
TV: Live, 9Gem
Online: Live, 9Now
Scott Pryde
Expert
In Australia - not sure which city, but I'd take a guess and say Melbourne.
Ted
Guest
Where will the final be?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Confirmation there from Azarenka. She will play doubles alongside a yet to be confirmed partner. That gets underway in 25 minutes, so I'm going to have a quick breather, then you can join me for the doubles rubber of Belarus and Australia in the semi-finals of the Fed Cup.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that was just dominant from Azarenka. She served strongly, played well on the baseline and didn't let Stosur have a sniff. Sure to be a team change for Belarus ahead of this fifth rubber. Wouldn't be a shock to see Azarenka back on court alongside either Sasnovich or Marozava. Stosur, on the other hand, has already sent a racquet to the stringer, so it looks like she will join Barty for the doubles. Stosur……. 1 1 Azarenka… 6 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, VICTORIA AZARENKA Fault from Azarenka. The second is returned well, but Stosur then sends a ball long, and that'll do it. In just 59 minutes, Azarenka has absolutely rolled Stosur to send this semi-final to a live doubles rubber. Stosur……. 1 1 Azarenka… 6 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Azarenka goes wide, then hits the backhand up the line. Grat shot that. Two match points. Stosur……. 1 1 - 15 Azarenka… 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve returned very well. Stosur was on top of the point, but then misses the forehand from inside the baseline. Stosur……. 1 1 - 15 Azarenka… 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Azarenka up the T. Stosur……. 1 1 - 15 Azarenka… 6 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur returns strongly on the backhand this time, then hits a good one with depth, and Azarenka can't get this back in. Stosur……. 1 1 - 15 Azarenka… 6 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur serves down the T, but Azarenka returns well and then defends before Stosur misses an easy ball from the edge of the service box. Azarenka serving for the match, to force this to a fifth rubber. Stosur……. 1 1 - Azarenka… 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur goes wide this time, then hits a forehand back in behind. That draws the short ball, and Stosur won't make a mistake. Stosur……. 1 1 - 30 Azarenka… 6 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault. Two more break points. Stosur……. 1 1 - 15 Azarenka… 6 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Much better from Stosur there as she gets up inside the baseline and hits the inside out forehand winner. Stosur……. 1 1 - 15 Azarenka… 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur with a fault, and then Azarenka returns with depth. Stosur handles that well and then settles into a longer point, but sends a backhand long. This is a domination. Stosur……. 1 1 - 0 Azarenka… 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur serves well, then has the court, but makes yet another unforced error, sending the forehand long. Stosur……. 1 1 - 0 Azarenka… 6 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Azarenka with a backhand winner up the line, and she consolidates the break. This is one-way traffic. Stosur……. 1 1 - Azarenka… 6 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Azarenka goes down the T. Stosur……. 1 1 - Azarenka… 6 3 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur turns defence into attack this time, hitting a lovely backhand up the line. Stosur……. 1 1 - Azarenka… 6 3 - deuce (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bad shot choice from Stosur. Returned well and then went across the court with it opened right up, but misses the backhand drop shot. Should have just got attacking on that. Stosur……. 1 1 - 30 Azarenka… 6 3 - 40