Ajla Tomljanovic has been enthusing in regards to the assist for Australia on the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow, declaring she hopes the “crowds keep coming”.
Well, generally you need to watch out what you would like for …
The crowds can be flocking to the Emirates Arena all proper, however on Saturday, they will be rolling up within the hope of watching Australia get turned over by the hosts within the semi-final of what is turn out to be the World Cup of ladies’s tennis.
And after the cheers to this point for Alicia Molik’s staff throughout a vastly encouraging week, they’re positive to really feel fairly friendless when a possible full home turns up the quantity behind a British staff who’ve simply made the semi-finals for the primary time in 41 years.
Not that Molik’s staff, dubbed a bunch of “fighters” by the captain, can be intimidated.
As Storm Sanders, their star flip with three victories already this week, put it: “We are not here to participate – we are here to try and win this event.
“Everyone on the staff, it is a precedence for us to win. So, semi-finals is, yeah, a great step however we’re right here for extra.”
Still, the nature of the Australians’ task, as they scent the real possibility of winning what used to be called the Federation Cup for the first time since Evonne Goolagong led the 1974 triumph, changed markedly on a thrilling Thursday evening for the hosts.
Down and predicted almost certainly to be out, Britain, inspired by Harriet Dart’s career-best triumph over world No.13 Paula Badosa, pulled off a Houdini act to beat Spain 3-0 and edge qualification for the knock-out stage.
The vociferous home support helped them carry the day, with GB captain Anne Keothavong suggesting the idea of winning all three rubbers against Spain without dropping a set had been “unreal”.
The British doubles heroes were the fledgling pair of Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls, who’ve won both their matches this week.
And Keothavong had a jokey warning for their semi-final opponents, saying: “Gee, they have not heard Heather (Watson) and Liv (Nicholls) with their Aussie accents, psyching them out earlier than we even make it to the courtroom!”
Of course, Keothavong concedes the form of Sanders and Tomljanovic is no joke as they’d earlier both continued their unbeaten singles record this week in the 3-0 win over Belgium.
“We have been watching Storm Sanders enjoying very well at No.2, I believe she’s in all probability been the standout for the Aussie staff,” stated Keothavong.
“They are a tricky staff, with loads of expertise on this competitors … however look, we now have to consider, and we’re definitely on a excessive for the time being, however tomorrow it is again to work and getting ready for that match.”
Veteran Sam Stosur, who partnered Sanders in their doubles win against Belgium for her 38th BJK Cup win, senses something special is brewing in a team which, on paper, had looked long shots.
“Oh, completely. Every staff I’ve been on has been particular, however after having our remaining in Perth in 2019 (when Australia misplaced to France) which was a heartbreaking day for all of us who had been there, nicely that is one other alternative,” stated the 38-year-old.
“We are within the semis however we positively need to go additional, and we do consider that we will go additional.”
