Barty, Keys clash could decide Cup

AUSTRALIA’S Fed Cup tennis hopes will largely rest on the shoulders of Ashleigh Barty, with the tie against the US in North Carolina locked at 1-1 heading into an intense final day.

But Barty is happy to carry the load. The world No.13 from Ipswich in Queensland will play two of the three remaining rubbers, including a titanic singles clash with American ace Madison Keys.

“No pressure at all,” Barty said after winning yesterday’s opening singles rubber 6-1, 7-6 against the US No.2, Sofia Kenin, who was a star at last month’s Hobart International.

“For me it is an opportunity to go out there and play for my country and enjoy the fact I have the privilege of putting on the green and gold and wearing Australia on my back.”

Keys, ranked 17th in the world, evened the tie with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win over Queensland’s Kimberly Birrell at Asheville’s US Cellular Center indoor arena in the state of North Carolina.

The Barty-Keys singles clash this morning (AEDT) could dictate the winner of the world group first-round tie.

“That’s what you want on day two — the number ones going at it,” Australian team captain Alicia Molik said.

“It’s going to be really interesting.”

Birrell, ranked 157th after her third-round Australian Open effort, will play 37thranked Kenin in the second singles rubber.

Barty and Daria Gavrilova will face American duo Nicole Melichar and Danielle Collins in what could be the deciding doubles rubber in the fivegame format.

Molik followed form when selecting her team, going with Birrell over world No.47 Gavrilova for the second singles slot. Gavrilova has had a horror run in 2019, failing to win a match including a firstround departure at the Australian Open, while Birrell was impressive in making the third round in Melbourne.

Birrell’s inexperience, however, showed as she was outclassed by the heavy-hitting Keys. “I did the best I could but the weight behind her shot was definitely different to anything I have really felt before,” Birrell said.

Australia is desperate for a win. It is the first time the Aussies have played in the Fed Cup world group since 2015. The winner of the US-Australia tie will move on to play Belarus or Germany in the Fed Cup semi-finals in April.