Australia have been knocked out of the Fed Cup after going down to Germany in their semi-final clash last weekend. Former US Open champ Sam Stosur was beaten in three sets by world No. 7 Angelique Kerber to seal the Aussies fate after they had also lost the opening two ties. 

 

Stosur claimed a tough opening set but failed to register a game in the second and was unable to regain the momentum in the decider, succumbing 4-6 6-0 6-4 at Brisbane’s Queensland Tennis Centre in just over two hours.  

 

The pairing of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua were able to get Australia on the board courtesy of a super-tiebreak win in the dead doubles rubber. However the overall 3-1 defeat ensured Australia will have to wait at least another year to end their 40-year Fed Cup title drought. 

 

Speaking after her match Stosur was proud of the way she played and felt there was not much in the contest.  

 

“Overall I’m reasonably happy,” Stosur said. “It came down to one break which could be that really long game where I had chances to try and win it. 

 

“That’s what it can come down to when you’re playing a top-10 player.” 

 

The match was the 13th meeting between the two nations in the competition, with Germany’s win closing the head-to-head record which now stands at 8-5 in Australia’s favour. 

 

Germany will be making their first appearance in the final since they won the title back in 1992. They will play the Czech Republic after they swept Italy in the other semi-final matchup.  

 

Australia, currently ranked fourth in the world, have preserved their status in the world group for next season’s tournament by making it to the final-four.