First up Ash Barty taking on Kiki Mladenovic and neither worked up much of a sweat in winning yesterday’s matches.
Ash would be wanting to give Australia the edge, at the same time exacting revenge for the defeat suffered at the hands of Kiki in May in Rome. If successful, that would be win #16 in succession in Fed Cup competition for the world #1.
Ash served first and despite missing with her first serve three times, a pair of aces in the end sealed a comfortable hold.
Awesome defence and impeccable backhand slice pressured Kiki into a double fault and break point. Ash converted, coming to the net for the easy put away. 2-0.
An ace on second serve at 30-30 was pretty cool from Ash and she extended her advantage to 3-0.
The forehand that served Kiki so well yesterday began paying dividends, and a love game on serve ignited things for France.
Ash responded at 15-30 with her customary court movement but a Kiki forehand brought it to deuce.
Two winning Ash forehands avoided any drama and confirmed 4-1.
Another Kiki love game kept her within a single break.
Ash overcame a pair of errors with the magical sliced backhand. 5-2.
After wonderful volley gave Kiki two game points, errors took it to deuce, then a Barty return forehand winner produced set point. It was sufficient and Australia led 6-2.
In the blink of an eye, set two was underway and Ash was down 0-40.
All three break points were saved via French errors. A fourth and fifth chance also went begging.
A game of rubbish was won by Ash and she led 1-0.
Another hold of serve despite not an impressive brand of tennis. The overall standard had dropped markedly. 1-1.
Ash lifted it back sharply with a fine game where first serves landed to her satisfaction.
3-2 after a pair of service holds, Ash the far simpler.
At 3-3 and 30-30, Ash was fortunate when Kiki missed an overhead. Ash won the game with a clean winner.
A double fault gave Ash a break point but she netted the next two points.
An Aussie winning forehand took it to another deuce.
More deuces until eventually Kiki held on for 4-4.
Some slashing winners from Kiki earned her two break points, only one of which Ash could save, and now France could serve to square the match.
Not even a double fault could prevent Kiki from leveling at 2-6 6-4.
Ash began the decider by holding serve, the disappointment of set two behind her.
Kiki had 40-0 but endured deuce before holding on, an ace clinching it.
Ash now throwing in all the errors and effectively donating a break of serve to Kiki whose consistency brought her into control.
Ash wasted a break point opportunity and Kiki shut her out to lead 3-1. Ash fought off break point with big serving and smart court work.
Ash was back, using the third of three break points to level at 3-3. Kiki was slightly off the boil.
A ripper backhand highlighted a superb service game from Ash who moved ahead 4-3.
Good tennis and solid from Kiki 4-4.
From nowhere a love game full of unforced errors and Kiki the beneficiary, now serving for the match.
Ash returned the favour - 5-5.
First serves on break points and a drop shot with wicked back spin took Ash to within a game of victory.
Love game from Kiki and a tie break to decide.
Ash played two bad points in the tie break and the match was gone.
France won 2-6 6-4 7-6(1)
I hate tie breaks - the worst way to finish a tight enthralling tennis match.
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