TA Press Release, April 20, 2018

Samantha Stosur will lead Australia into Fed Cup battle this weekend, playing the first match against Dutch No.1 Lesley Kerkhove for the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Play-off tie on Saturday.

Stosur will become only the 5th Australian player to play in 30 or more Fed Cup ties when she takes to the court this weekend boasting a 36-17 Fed Cup win loss record.

“I’m excited. It will be great to get out there and hopefully I can get the team off to a good start. It’s a nice feeling knowing I’ve played a lot of Fed Cup matches, it’s just a case of handling it on the day.”

Aussie No.1 Ash Barty will play second, matching up against Netherlands young gun Quirine Lemoine.

The draw was determined in a picturesque beach setting at Port Kembla Olympic Pool, with synchronised swimmers performing a routine to decide the order of play for the weekend.

The reverse singles will be played on Sunday, with Barty facing Netherlands No.1 Lesley Kerkhove, followed by Stosur against Quirine Lemoine.

In doubles Australia will be represented by Ashleigh Barty / Samantha Stosurwho will take on Dutch pair Demi Schuurs and Indy De Vroome.

Order of play 

Saturday 21 April 

10.45 am – Gates open

11.45 am – Opening ceremony

12.00 pm – Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs Lesley Kerkhove (NED)

Followed by Ashleigh Barty (AUS) vs Quirine Lemoine (NED) 

Sunday 22 April

11.00 am – Gates open

12.00 pm – Ashleigh Barty (AUS) vs Lesley Kerkhove (NED)

Followed by Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs Quirine Lemoine (NED)

Followed by Ashleigh Barty / Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs Demi Schuurs and Indy De Vroome (NED)

*All times are in local Wollongong time, AEST