Fed Cup 2019: Romania, Australia ousts holders Czech Republic and United States respectively

The quarterfinals of the 2019 Fed Cup sprung up shock upsets as Australia ousted the United States 3-2 while Romania knocked out defending champions Czech Republic by the same score, with both teams advancing to the semi-finals.

The Aussies had a 2-1 lead courtesy of Ash Barty’s 6-4, 6-1 win over Madison Keys but Danielle Collins 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Daria Gavrilova meant the tie was decided by the doubles, with Ash Barty pairing up with Priscilla Hon for a 6-4,7-5 triumph over the duo of Danielle Collins and Nicole Melichar.

 In the other tie, Romania had taken a 2-1 lead courtesy of Simona Halep’s 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win over Karolina Pliskova but Katerina Siniakova levelled proceedings with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Mihaela Burzanescu, which meant the result also hinged on the doubles.

Irina-Camelia Begu and Monica Niculescu edged Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4 to seal Romania’s first semifinal appearance at the Fed Cup. Romania will play France in the semifinal while Australia will square off against Belarus.