Final debutant Belarus has saved the Fed Cup title. Aryna Sabalenka equalled out in the final in Minsk against record winner USA with a 1-1 win (6:3,3:6,6:4) over US opener Sloane Stephens.
Prior to this, Coco Vandeweghe, who was eager for the world rankings, had put the favourites in the lead against Alexandra Sasnowitsch (6:4,6:4).
On Sunday (12.00 hrs/DAZN) Vandeweghe and Sabalenka will first meet in the top singles, followed by the match between Stephens and Sasnowitsch and the potentially decisive doubles. Conversions are possible at short notice before all games.
The USA is aiming for its 18th birthday on the hard court in the Tschischowska Arena. Winner of the title – the last one was 17 years ago. In their final premiere in the competition, which has been held since 1963, the Belarusian women have to forego their top player Victoria Azarenka. The two-time Australian Open winner cannot leave California due to a continuing custody dispute over her one-year-old son Leo.
Belarus is the first-round opponent and host of the German team in February 2018. The DTB team had lost 4-0 to the USA in Hawaii this season, but then won against the Ukraine in Stuttgart (3-2) in the World Group Relegation.