Australia routed in 'crazy' upset loss to Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup
Updated . First published
Australia has copped a disastrous defeat in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie against Great Britain, who advanced to the finals with a 3-1 victory on Saturday in Melbourne.
Britain's doubles team of Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage completed the upset rout with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez.
"We knew it was going to be an incredibly tough match," Dart told Nine.
Australia hosts old foes Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup at Melbourne's John Cain Arena on April 10-11. Watch all the action exclusively on Nine
Harriet Dart and Jodie Anna Burrage of Great Britain celebrate winning. Getty Images for Billie Jean Kin
"They're two great players and they play a lot of doubles, and it was our first time playing together.
"It's a bit crazy actually because we played pretty well, didn't we?
"But it's such an honour to represent GB and to be able to make the finals as well is kind of surreal."
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Samantha Stosur of Australia looks on after defeat. Getty Images for Billie Jean Kin
Only nine teams had ever come back from 2-0 down to win since the best-of-five format was introduced in 1995.
On Friday, Talia Gibson suffered a shock loss in the opening singles match, going down to a little-known teenager ranked more than 200 spots behind her.
Perth product Gibson was expected to make light work of Mika Stojsavljevic - who is ranked No.275 in the world.
Talia Gibson shakes hands with Mika Stojsavljevic. Getty Images for Billie Jean Kin
However, the previously in-form Aussie went down in straight sets 7-6(4), 7-5 against the 17-year-old Stojsavljevic, who got the Brits off to a flying start.
"It feels amazing. I can't believe it. I can't even remember the last point," Stojsavljevic said.
"I had amazing support from the side and managed to get through. It was a good match. We have very similar games, both quite aggressive, so I'm happy to get through it."
World No.56 Gibson came into the tournament in blistering form and was the country's top-ranked player in the tie, with No.1 Maya Joint out injured.
Gibson had surged up the rankings in 2026 after toppling five top-20 players including Naomi Osaka and Jasmine Paolini.
The 21-year-old had reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells and made it through to the round of 16 at the Miami Open before losing to world No.2 Elena Rybakina.
Talia Gibson in Hobart. Richard Jupe
"Obviously (it was) my first time playing a match in the Billie Jean King Cup for Australia, so there were obviously some nerves out there today," Gibson said.
"It is not the way I would have liked to have played, and not the result that I would have liked to have happened. But credit to Mika.
"She came out playing really well and served amazing. I did my best with what I was able to bring today, but unfortunately it wasn't enough."
Harriet Dart is fired up. Nine
British veteran Dart then made it 2-0 to the visitors with a fighting 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Kimberly Birrell at John Cain Arena.
Dart is ranked No.173 in the world and Birrell is 80th.
"Kim is such an amazing player and such a fighter, and I knew it was always going to be really, really tough, especially here in Australia," Dart said.
Harriet Dart of Great Britain is congratulated by teammates. Getty Images for Billie Jean Kin
"Just super happy to be able to get the win after Mika's incredible performance before me.
"It's so much bigger than just myself, I always get goosebumps when I walk on the court, announcing that I'm playing for Great Britain."
Great Britain were missing Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, Katie Boulter and Fran Jones – all of whom are ranked inside the world's top 100 for singles.
Kimberly Birrell of Australia speaks with Samantha Stosur. Getty Images for Billie Jean Kin
Teenager Emerson Jones gave Australia a consolation singles win on Saturday, beating Katie Swan 7-5, 6-3 on her BJKC debut.
"Obviously pretty disappointed right now and certainly wasn't the result that we hoped for or envisioned having," Australia captain Sam Stosur said.
"It wasn't through lack of trying or preparation. I felt like we were ready to go. We did a really great five days together here in our training camp and obviously our players have been in pretty good form leading in. That's the way the dice rolls sometimes and we've got to learn from this.
"I can't fault any of the players for what they did this week. Unfortunately that's just sport and the way it goes sometimes."
