Teenager Mika Stojsavljevic spearheaded a surprise Billie Jean King Cup win for Great Britain over Australia by beating a player ranked more than 200 places above her.
Anne Keothavong’s side travelled to Australia without their four top-ranked British women: Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, Katie Boulter and Francesca Jones, but still managed to secure their place in the finals in Shenzhen after winning the opening three matches of the tie in Melbourne.
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Stojsavljevic kicked things off by beating Talia Gibson, the world No 56 who had reached the quarter-finals of Indian Wells and the last 16 in Miami, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5.
“It feels amazing, I can’t believe it to be honest,” the 17-year-old said. “I can’t even remember the last point, I just played and had amazing support on the side and managed to get through.”
Harriet Dart then beat Kimberly Birrell, a player ranked nearly 100 places above her, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the second singles tie before teaming up with Jodie Burrage in the doubles. The British pair beat Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez 6-3, 6-4 to give Great Britain an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie.
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“They’re two great players. They play a lot of doubles and it was our first time playing together,” Dart said. “It’s crazy actually because we played pretty well and to be able to make the finals is just kind of surreal.”
The doubles victory ensured Britain reached the BJK Cup finals for a third successive year, even with Katie Swan, who appeared to be struggling with a back issue, later losing 7-5, 6-3 to 17-year-old Emerson Jones.
“It’s been an unbelievable week here in Melbourne and the tennis that was played yesterday and today was just fantastic,” Keothavong said. “I couldn’t really ask anything more of my team. I’m so proud of them. We came here and we did it, girls.”
Great Britain took a surprise win against Australia in Melbourne – William West/Getty Images
Stojsavljevic became the first British girl to win a junior grand slam title since 2009 when she won the US Open girls’ title in 2024 and made the transition to the senior tour this year, and is currently ranked 275th in the world. She has relished the opportunity in Melbourne this week.
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“When I got the call up from Anne, I couldn’t believe it to be honest,” Stojsavljevic said. “I knew that some of the other girls weren’t available, but I thought that was a good thing for me really, because I was honoured to make the team.
“And when Anne said that I could play singles as well, that was even more incredible. So I thought I was ready and I think I showed that to myself more than anything, and I’m proud of how I handled it.”
Stojsavljevic was in tears of joy after her victory on Friday – Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Keothavong added: “It’s so special, for Mika especially. At the age of 17 to go out there on your debut in an away tie against a much higher-ranked opponent and perform the way she did is fantastic, and those of us who know her well, know what she’s capable of, and the potential that she has in this game, and I’d like to think this is just the start of her journey.”
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Britain are the second team to qualify for the BJK Cup finals, joining hosts China for the eight-team event in September.