Australia v Mexico: Aussies suffer Hunter injury blow but vow to rally
11/04/2024 12:34
Storm Hunter's withdrawal through injury is a headache for new captain Sam Stosur, but the Australians are determined to make an impact in their Qualifier against Mexico.
By Ross McLean
Australia have been dealt a blow on the eve of their Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifier 2024 with Mexico in Brisbane following a serious injury to Storm Hunter.
Hunter had been due to play a significant part in Australia’s bid to reach November’s season-ending Billie Jean King Cup Finals for a fourth time, having been selected for both singles and doubles.
The 29-year-old, however, suffered a freak injury in practice and Daria Saville will replace her for Friday’s singles showdown with Mexico’s Marcela Zacarias.
“It was an absolutely devastating event towards the end of practice,” said Australia captain Sam Stosur, who is set to take charge of her first Billie Jean King Cup tie after replacing Alicia Molik in December.
“Storm and Arina [Rodionova] were practicing, and Storm went to take off for a ball and unfortunately sustained a very serious injury. She is going to be getting an MRI scan tonight.
“Obviously the tie continues, and we’ve made a decision. Dasha [Daria Savile] is going to play tomorrow in place of Storm, but we’re all rallying behind Storm and wishing her the very best.
“The whole team needs to rally for her and move forward.”
Having won 10 of the 14 matches she has contested across singles and doubles in Billie Jean King Cup, Hunter’s importance to Australia cannot be overstated.
But the baton now passes to Saville and the 30-year-old, who was a member of Australia’s team at the 2023 Finals in Seville, will be keen to spearhead her nation’s challenge this time around.
Her opponent, however, is on a mission. Zacarias, 30, will claim sole ownership of the record for most Billie Jean King Cup match-wins by a Mexican player if she wins a match of any kind against Australia.
With 19, world No. 405 Zacarias already holds the record for most Billie Jean King Cup singles match-wins by a Mexican player so is unlikely to go down without a fight against Saville.
Saville's showdown with Zacarias will be the second singles match at the Pat Rafter Arena on Friday and will follow the tie's opening clash between Rodionova and Giuliana Olmos.
Rodionova is returning to her nation’s Billie Jean King Cup roster for the first time in eight years having last featured in the competition back in 2016 as Australia were humbled 4-0 by USA.
The 34-year-old is yet to taste victory for Australia but is hoping it will be third time lucky as she faces Olmos, who is considered more of a doubles specialist.
Indeed, Olmos can extend her lead at the top of the list for most Billie Jean King Cup doubles match-wins by a Mexican player if she wins in doubles this weekend and is slated to play with Zacarias on day two.
Ellen Perez is due to play doubles for Australia, as was Hunter. However, there is much tennis to be played before then, with Rodionova and Zacarias and then Saville and Olmos slated to play singles matches on Saturday.
The winners of the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers will all book their place in November’s Finals; the losers will contest the Play-offs in the same month.
Australia v Mexico
