Aryna Sabalenka has taken first blood for Belarus in a rollercoaster Fed Cup semi-final opener against Samantha Stosur in Brisbane.
The 20-year-old prevailed 7-5 5-7 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena in a nervy contest that lasted nearly three hours, featured 17 breaks of serve and as many momentum swings.
Stosur fought from a set and break down but the world No.10’s immense power game eventually proved too much ahead of Ashleigh Barty’s battle with Victoria Azarenka on Saturday afternoon.