Under-strength GB reach Billie Jean King Cup finals after ‘crazy’ win over Australia
Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage combined to win the doubles and give Great Britain an unassailable 3-0 lead
Great Britain are through to the Billie Jean King Cup finals thanks to an impressive victory against Australia in Melbourne. The team got off to a dream start to the qualifiers on Friday as 17-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic marked her debut by beating Talia Gibson 7-6 (4) 7-5. Harriet Dart fought back against Kimberly Birrell to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 later that day at John Cain Arena, before then helping Britain take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the doubles on Saturday.
Dart and Jodie Burrage ran out 6-3 6-4 victors against Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez, securing the Brits’ place in September’s finals. “It’s pretty crazy, we played pretty well, actually, didn’t we? " said Dart.
“It’s such an honour to represent GB and to make the finals as well is kind of surreal. ” Emerson Jones overcame Katie Swan 7-5 6-3 as Australia recorded a consolation win in game four. Jodie Burrage and Harriet Dart got the job done in the doubles (Getty Images for Billie Jean Kin) GB could celebrate reaching September's BJK Cup Finals (AFP via Getty Images) The Billie Jean King Cup finals start in Shenzhen on September 21, with the Brits joined by seven other nations in China.
Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong said: “We’re all just overjoyed. Look, it’s been an unbelievable week here in Melbourne, and the tennis that was played yesterday and today was just fantastic. I couldn’t really ask anything more of my team.