Australia’s bid to make the Billie Jean King Cup final got off to the worst possible start, losing both opening day singles matches, with leader Talia Gibson falling to British teenager Mika Stojsavljevic.
Gibson was expected to make a strong start to Friday’s competition at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, but she lost 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 to the lower-ranked 17-year-old.
Kimberly Birrell was then unable to level the home team and lost 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 against top-ranked Briton Harriet Dart.
In such a situation, to remain in the competition, Australia needs experienced pair Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez to win the doubles match in the opening match on Saturday.
World number 56 Gibson took over the role of key local player after Maya Joint’s injury and arrived at the match in excellent form.
The 21-year-old had recently defeated five top-20 ranked players and reached the highest ranking of her career.
Lacking the visiting team’s four best players, the Australians were favorites to advance to the finals in China in September, but were quickly dismissed by big man Stojsavljevic.
“This is my first time playing for Team Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup, so obviously there were some nerves out there today and it wasn’t how I wanted to play and it wasn’t how I wanted,” Perth product Gibson said.
“Credit to Mika, she came out playing really well, served amazing, so I did my best with what I was able to bring today, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.”
Gibson made a nervous start against the 2024 US Open junior champion before clawing her way back to level at 3-3 and pushing the first set into a tiebreak.
But world number 275 Stojsavljevic took a 7-4 lead in the deciding game thanks to a backhand error by her opponent.
The young Briton continued that momentum into the second set and led 5-2 before powerhouse Gibson found her touch and broke her twice to level the score at 5-5.
Stojsavljevic hit three aces to add to her match score of 12, including five break points, to stay in the marathon game, then broke Gibson to seal the match.
World number 80 Birrell was on course to bring the Australians level by winning the first set but lost momentum against the 173rd-ranked Darts.
The pair exchanged breaks in the third set but Dart broke again to take a 4-3 lead and had no trouble from that point on.
Dart will partner Jody Burrage in Saturday’s live doubles match, while the reverse singles will be determined later in the day.
