Australia is the first country into the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals after beating Belgium in a brilliant performance in Scotland.
Storm Sanders paved the way for Australia’s upset victory with a 6-2 6-2 thrashing of 54th-ranked Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck before Ajla Tomljanovic clinched the win.
Australia entered its final group B clash on Thursday night knowing a 2-1 loss to Belgium could be enough to advance, because of the latter’s shock defeat to Slovakia.
Alicia Molik’s team still needed to win at least one set to progress – in the No.1 singles or doubles – after Sanders’ triumph over Van Uytvanck.
The tie looked set to go to a deciding doubles rubber when Belgian trump card Elise Mertens, fresh from her WTA Finals doubles title, raced to a set and double-break lead over Tomljanovic.
But Tomljanovic reeled off five games in a row to snatch the second set, an effort that sealed Australia’s semi-final berth regardless of what was to come.
The belief she gained from making quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in a career-best year undoubtedly helped in those tough moments.
Mertens’ serve failed her – she finished with 10 double faults – but she took a medical time-out to have her right shoulder assessed at 4-5 in set two in the first hint at what was going wrong.
The Belgian star retired after dropping serve in the second game of the final set when trailing 4-6 6-4 2-0.
“It’s always bittersweet when someone has to retire but I think we won it even after I won that (second) set, so that feels good,” Tomljanovic said.
“I just fought until the end. My back was against the wall (and) I was getting ready to cheer loud in the doubles but it’s tennis, it’s never over until it’s over.
“We have the best cheering squad … and you feel that good energy, so it definitely got me over the line.”
Australia last won the Billie Jean King Cup title in 1974 but also made the semi-finals last year and the final in 2019 in Perth.
A strong Spain line-up led by Paula Badosa looms as Australia’s semi-final opponent, assuming it negotiates Great Britain in the second group C match.
With Australia missing retired world No.1 Ash Barty and the injured Daria Saville, Molik ignored the rankings to install Sanders as the No.2 singles player this week behind Tomljanovic.
The West Australian, ranked 237 after previously being as high as No.119, has won both of her singles matches to be a key reason for her country’s success to date.
She is getting married this month at the end of her best season on court yet, including winning the US Open mixed doubles title as she broke into the top 10 in that form of the game.
It is the second-straight year Sanders saved her best for Belgium in the team competition.
She stunned Mertens in three sets as the interim No.1 player a year ago, without Barty and last-minute withdrawal Tomljanovic on that occasion.
“In some ways, I feel like I have always believed that I can perform at this level – not just for my country but week in, week out at WTA events,” Sanders said.
“But obviously representing your country is a whole other level … I absolutely love playing for Australia. For me, it’s the biggest honour.
“The thing I want to do the most in my tennis career would be to win the Billie Jean King Cup for my country.”
Molik partnered Sanders with veteran Sam Stosur in the doubles, replacing top-20 doubles player Ellen Perez after losing that rubber against Slovakia.
