All square in Australia-Belarus and France-Romania Fed Cup semi-final ties

Shahida Jacobs
Victoria Azarenka fist pump

The doubles will decide the Fed Cup semi-final tie between Australia and Belarus while the France and Romania tie is also all square heading into Sunday.

Ashleigh Barty and Victoria Azarenka won their singles encounters on Saturday to make it 2-2 in the Australia-Belarus clash in Brisbane.

Miami Open champion Barty kicked off the day with an excellent win for the Aussies as she beat Aryna Sabalenk 6-2, 6-2 to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

But two-time Grand Slam winner Azarenka then drew Belarus level as she brushed aside fellow major winner Samantha Stosur 6-1, 6-1.

“It was either we were going to stay and fight for another match or we were going to go home, so I was really focused,” Azarenka said on-court after the match.

“I thought that I played great tennis and I executed well. It’s a pleasure playing here, it’s a pleasure playing for my country, and I’m looking forward to a next match.”

Over in France, Simona Halep and Caroline Garcia won their opening singles rubbers to put the tie at 1-1.

French Open champion Halep got the better of Kristina Mladenovic as she won 6-3, 6-1 to give Romania the lead, but Garcia drew the hosts level as she beat Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-3, 6-3.

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