Queenslanders Ash Barty and Sam Stosur have put Australia through to the Fed Cup final once again.
The duo fought hard throughout the intense, heart pumping and enthralling fifth rubber at Pat Rafter Arena with a 7-5 3-6 6-2 victory over Belarusians Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka.
Back in the final...#GoAussies pic.twitter.com/fzP165dxJq
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) April 21, 2019
On the line was not only a spot in the World Group final in November but hosting rights too.
For Australia, they hadn't made a final since 1993 while Belarus were looking to make their second in three years.
The doubles rubber was forced after a dominant performance from Azarenka against Stosur with a 6-1 6-1 victory to level the tie.
Australian captain Alicia Molik stuck to her guns for the doubles pairing of Barty and Stosur.
Barty and Stosur hadn't played doubles together before but have both been playing well with their respective partners away from Fed Cup so seemed to be natural choices.
Belarus also stuck to their original nominations of Azarenka and Sabalenka, with the latter of the duo having won two of the biggest doubles titles recently.
Australia found the break early in the first set but it didn't last as long as the Brisbane crowd would've hoped for with some outstanding returns from Sabalenka helping Belarus to level the set.
Belarus looked the more dangerous of the two but Stosur's experience and Barty's current form showed, hitting big winners to eventually give them the opening set.
The second wasn't much different, except Australia were unable to break this time with nothing separating the teams after seven games in.
However, Belarus were the better returners which put pressure on the Australian servers and allowed them to eventually serve to win the second.
The rubber was giving fans everything to love about the double format with unbelievable winners and formidable rallies then the moment came everyone but Belarus was looking for.
Australia got the break and never looked back.
No words...#AUSBLR #GoAussies pic.twitter.com/3LXRVWrolw
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) April 21, 2019
After 26 years Australia was headed to the final.
Brisbane will be looking to host the final after record crowds (9,554) came through the doors in Tennyson during the two-day event.
Tennis Queensland chief executive Mark Handley told The Courier-Mail last week Rafter Arena they would bid to stage the final.
Unlike the Davis Cup, there is no obligation to hold the final at Rod Laver Arena.
Related Articles

Top-100 Spotlight: The Coast Golf Club

How to watch this week’s golf
