By Adrianna Outlaw | Sunday, April 17, 2016
All four American players contributed to the United States' 4-0 sweep of host Australia.
Photo credit: Fed Cup Facebook
The United States hijacked an Australian Open homecoming to roll back into the Fed Cup World Group.
CoCo Vandeweghe fought back for a 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Aussie No. 1 Samantha Stosur to clinch the USA's 4-0 triumph on the red clay of Brisbane.
More: McHale, Keys Lead USA to Lead Over Australia
"I think every time you go out and play for your country it can get a little exciting, hopefully it ends up in your favor and today it did" Vandeweghe told FedCup.com afterward. "Afterward I walked off and I was like 'Oh my God.' I was literally shaking in my boots that last game. I don't think I've been as nervous serving out a match... She definitely kept the pressure on me a lot and the crowd was definitely getting into it."
Former US Open champion Stosur burst out of the blocks quickly, winning eight of the first 10 games before Vandeweghe began cracking her serve into the corners to ignite her comeback.
"It definitely hurts," Stosur said. "Sometimes it's good to play these close ones and play well, but it doesn't help the disappointment anymore— 7-5 in the third and 6-4 in the third—pretty rough weekend, unfortunately.
"I did start that first set really well. I think she maybe started out a little nervously and then as the match went on she found her range on the serve a lot more and started playing some big tennis. There wasn't much in it—a couple points here and there. When it comes down to someone who can serve like she can, I've got a decent serve as well, so service games became really important."
Vandeweghe and Bethanie Mattek-Sands partnered to win the dead doubles rubber over Daria Gavrilova and Arina Rodionova 6-1, 6-4, completing a commanding victory that vaults the Americans back into the 2017 World Group.
Playing without the Williams sisters and Charleston champion Sloane Stephens, who has won three titles in 2016, captain Mary Joe Fernandez pushed all the right buttons. She started Christina McHale ahead of Vandeweghe in Saturday's second singles and the Teaneck, N.J. native responded surprising Stosur giving the Americans a 2-0 lead. Fernandez inserted Vandeweghe ahead of Madison Keys, who beat Daria Gavrilova in the opener.