Storm Sanders has continued her extraordinary run of form at the Billie Jean King Cup to help Australia book a spot in the final of the team’s tournament, courtesy of a nail-biting semi-final victory over Britain.
Saturday’s memorable triumph in Glasgow set up the prospect of a first title in the competition for Australia in 48 years since Evonne Goolagong led the victors, with Sanders again the lynchpin for the Green and Gold.
Sanders downed England’s Heather Watson in her singles rubber, before returning to partner Aussie veteran Sam Stosur in the winner-takes-all doubles decider, following Ajla Tomljanovic’s defeat in the second singles match.
Sanders battled through a leg injury to beat Watson 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the opening singles rubber, only for Tomljanovic to suffer a serious off-day in her loss to Harriet Dart.
The British player – ranked 65 places below Australia’s top-ranked female star – beat Tomljanovic 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to leave the tie on a knife’s edge.
Sanders was again Australia’s aggressive inspiration, defying her lowly world ranking of 237 as she outplayed world No.133 Watson despite feeling discomfited by a leg injury that required off-court physio treatment after the first set.
She then returned less than two hours later to partner Stosur in the doubles, where a tie-deciding super tie-break was needed at the Emirates Arena.
Sanders and Stosur kept their nerve admirably as the home crowd tried to lift British pair Olivia Nicholls and Alicia Barnett.
