Madrid, Feb 9:
Aryna Sabalenka’s day of wild extremes ended with Belarus clawing their way into the Fed Cup final while Naomi Osaka’s participation ended more tamely when she was benched as Japan lost.
Belarus beat the Netherlands 3-2 in the Hague. Russia was also forced to go the distance as they beat Romania 3-2 in Cluj-Napoca.
Spain swept Japan aside 3-1. Switzerland beat Canada, Belgium beat Kazakhstan and Slovakia beat Britain, all 3-1. Germany thrashed Brazil 4-0 in warm conditions in Florianopolis.
They join already-qualified Australia, France, Czech Republic and Hungary in the 12-team finals in Budapest in April.
The final place was to be decided later Saturday in Everett, Washington, where the Serena Williams-led USA, who also boast newly crowned Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in their team, started the second day leading Latvia 2-0.
In the Hague, Sabalenka opened the day by losing 6-4, 6-4 to Kiki Bertens. It was a match notable for an awful miss by the Belarussian who seemed to start crying after netting an easy winner.
“It was not the best tennis from myself,” Sabalenka said.
When Arantza Rus won the opening set of the fourth rubber to love and Aliaksandra Sasnovich took an injury time out in the next rubber in clear distress with a wrist injury, Belarus seemed doomed.
Somehow Sasnovich battled back to win 0-6, 7-5, 6-2.(Agencies)
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