Storm Sanders played a starring role in Australia’s 2-1 semifinal victory against Great Britain at the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Glasgow, Scotland, 13 November 2022 | Leigh Rogers
Australia is one step closer to ending a 48-year title drought in the Billie Jean King Cup competition.
The Australian team won through to this year’s final with a hard-fought 2-1 semifinal victory against host nation Great Britain in Scotland today.
Storm Sanders played a starring role, winning both her singles and doubles matches, to help qualify Australia for a 19th final – and just their third final appearance in the past 30 years.
Sanders continued her impressive form on the singles court, scoring a third consecutive victory this week against a higher-ranked opponent.
The 28-year-old Sanders posted a 6-4 7-6(3) win against Brit Heather Watson, who is ranked 104 places higher.
“I just go out and do my thing on the court, and I think in this format and representing Australia, rankings go out the window,” said world No.237 Sanders.
“I thrive in this environment, having the team around us, not just on the court but the whole week before. Then obviously during my match, to be able to look at them and get the support and energy from them.
“I’m just trying to do my part for the team and coming up with the wins is just the cherry on top.”
“I can’t really talk right now, I’m shaking” 🥹
What it means to win for the green and gold #BJKCupFinals | @TennisAustralia | @stormsanders94 pic.twitter.com/jACDTzEveF
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 12, 2022
Harriet Dart kept British hopes alive with a 7-6(3) 6-2 victory against Australian No.1 Ajla Tomjanovic in the second singles rubber.
A fearless Dart fired 25 winners to 12 to level the tie.
Sanders then teamed with Sam Stosur to win the deciding doubles rubber against British combination Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls.
The Australians produced a steely performance, saving a set point in the opening set and holding their nerve in a high-pressure encounter, to edge out a 7-6(1) 6-7(5) [10-6] victory.
Green and golden moment 💚🇦🇺💛@TennisAustralia celebrate booking a 19th final after a 7-6(1) 6-7(5) 10-6 nail-biter! Will it be 🏆 No.8?#BJKCupFinals | @stormsanders94 | @bambamsam30 pic.twitter.com/JDhT5jmN09
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 12, 2022
Inspirational 🤩@stormsanders94 and @bambamsam30 have caught their breath, let’s hear…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australia…