Olga Savchuk and Lesia Tsurenko propelled Ukraine into the Fed Cup World Group, clinching the deciding doubles against their Australian opponents Jarmila Groth and Anastasia Rodionova yesterday.
The Ukrainian pair put behind an ominous start to seal a 0-6 7-6(3) 6-3 win to seal a 3-2 victory in the playoff that assured them a place in the World Group for only the second time in the tournament’s history.
After failing to win a single game in the first set, the Ukrainian duo had their backs against the wall.
Photo: AFP
Savchuk and Tsurenko, however, held their nerve and saved match points in the second set tie-break before completing a thrilling victory at the Glen Iris Valley Recreation Club in Melbourne.
For Australia, Slovakia-born Groth had won both her singles matches, while Tsurenko and Savchuk kept Ukraine in the contest before joining hands to script a dramatic doubles victory that means Australia will begin next season in World Group II.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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