Teenager Mika Stojsavljevic and Harriet Dart have moved a depleted Great Britain one win away from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals after opening qualifying ties with victories in Melbourne.
Seventeen-year-old Stojsavljevic, ranked 275th, produced a shock on her BJK Cup debut by beating world No. 65 Talia Gibson 7-6(7-4) 7-5. The 2024 US Open junior champion closed a 219-place ranking gap to give Anne Keothavong’s side a perfect start despite the absence of Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, Katie Boulter and Fran Jones.
Stojsavljevic grabbed an early 3-1 lead, edged the first set in a tie-break and weathered pressure late in the match — successfully defending five break points — to finish a second set that featured five breaks of serve. She said she was overwhelmed by the occasion and grateful for the support from the British team and traveling fans.
Later, Britain’s No. 1 Harriet Dart recovered from a set down to beat Kimberly Birrell 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, ensuring Great Britain need just one win from the remaining three rubbers to secure a place in the Finals in Shenzhen, China, from September 22-27. Dart praised Stojsavljevic’s performance and described representing her country as a privilege, saying she was pleased to find a way through a match with many momentum swings.
Dart will pair with Jodie Burrage in Saturday’s doubles rubber as Britain aim to close out the tie against an Australian pairing of Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez.
Saturday’s Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers order (Melbourne):
– Storm Hunter & Ellen Perez vs Jodie Burrage & Harriet Dart
– Talia Gibson vs Harriet Dart
– Kimberly Birrell vs Mika Stojsavljevic
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