Samantha Stosur and Jarmila Gajdosova put Australia on the brink of a return to the Fed Cup World Group by overwhelming Germany in Stuttgart on the opening day.

Stosur accounted for the in-form Angelique Kerber 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 on clay in the Porsche Arena before Gajdosova upset world No.16 Julia Goerges 6-4 6-4.

The win handed Australia a 2-0 edge before the reverse singles and doubles on Sunday and within reach of a memorable win for David Taylor’s team.

World No.5 Stosur has had a mixed start to the year but showed her liking for the red dirt by trumping one of the best players on the WTA tour this year in Kerber.

However it was Gajdosova’s victory that was the real surprise, the former Slovakian having endured a torrid time on the court since Wimbledon last year.