Sensational Elena Rybakina comeback damages Aussies quarter final hopes at Billie Jean King Cup
Australia's quest to go deep into the Billie Jean King Cup has hit its first obstacle as the national team fell short in a sensational battle against team Kazakhstan.
Former world No.3 Elena Rybakina was the saviour for the visiting team as she powered from a break down in the first and second sets to defeat top-ranked Aussie Kim Birrell.
Team Australia were desperate for Birrell to record an upset over her rival in the second match as a first round defeat for Maya Joint placed the team in a worrying position.
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Birrell managed to put higher ranked rival to the test at times in the battle - at one point holding a 5-1 led over the world No.10 in the second set.
Holding the serve to take it to a decider, Birrell's 2022 Wimbledon champion rival unleashed a damaging comeback to break her twice and level the scores at 5-5.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a shot in her match against Kimberly Birrell of Australia in their 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier tie between Australia and Kazakhstan. Getty
Despite fighting through the fierce power of Rybakina, Birrell was quickly dismantled 6-3, 7-6 (4) by the Kazakhstani.
"It was such a difficult match," Rybakina said.
"(Birrell) played really well, I think the whole match. Of course my serve in the second set dropped a bit and I started to lose and after I finally found that energy and timing on the serve.
"[There were] some good rallies from both of us and in some important moments I played a little bit better being down and found myself on the tiebreak and I felt a little bit better."
Australian captain Sam Stosur and Kimberly Birrell of Australia. Getty
Having come close to finding victory against one of the game's top players, Birrell admitted she left the court with a new found sense of confidence in her ability.
"Even though I'm disappointed now, I think I can definitely take some confidence from this match," she said.
"Playing another tight match against one of the girls who have cemented themselves in the top 10 ... I'm definitely believing in the way that I'm playing.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do this year."
Australia have not missed the quarter final stage of the tournament since 2018, having finished as overall runners-up in 2019 and 2022.
Maya Joint plays a shot against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. Getty
Non-playing team captain Sam Stosur made just one change to her playing group in recent weeks as she announced teen star Joint would make her debut in the format.
Joint was called up in replace of three-time grand slam quarter finalist Ajla Tomljanovic, who was on the bench during the matches against Kazakhstan.
The 18-year-old was defeated in straight sets against world No.78 Yulia Putintseva, 6-2, 6-1.
Australia will face Colombia on Saturday in hopes to find one last chance at qualifying for the finals, with the South American nation set to face Kazakhstan on Friday.
