Australia bowed out of the Billie Jean King Cup in the quarter-finals

The Australian women’s team fell short of a third-straight semi-final and now it’s the men’s team to try and end a 20-year Davis Cup drought.

Australian attention will shift to a return to the Davis Cup final in Spain for the men after the women’s team bowed out of the Billie Jean King Cup with a quarter-final loss to Slovakia in Malaga.

Chasing a fourth semi-final appearance in five years, and a first title in half a century in the prestigious teams’ event runner new captain Sam Stosur, both Kim Birrell, a surprise singles selection, and injured veteran Ajla Tomljanovic lost their singles matches to end the Australian run.

Birrell lost in three set to Viktoria Hruncakova who defied her lowly ranking before Tomljanovic, who was back as Australian No.1 after landing a second career title in Hong Kong Kong was rolled 6-1 6-2 in barely an hour by Rebecca Sramkova.

Tomjlanovic, 31, needed a medical time-out in the first set for another left knee issue having missed almost a year due to the injury, and never looked capable to victory.

Unleashed 🔥@RebeccaSramkova lets it rip down the line#BJKCuppic.twitter.com/ZFeSdkCkKk

— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 17, 2024

The defeat came after an interrupted preparation with flooding in Malaga during the week limiting Australia’s practice sessions and clouded Stosur’s selection thoughts.

“Look, it is what it is. Everyone was in the same position. Nobody got to do anything yesterday,” she said.

“Obviously it’s not ideal, but I think it flooding in the city is probably a bit more important than being able to hit some tennis balls.”

The end of the women’s campaign comes as the men start their quest for a third straight Davis Cup final, and a first title since 2003.

Alex de Minaur’s presence as a late call-up is yet to be confirmed after he bowed out of the ATP finals with three straight defeats.

But doubles pair Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell made the doubles semi-finals and Thompson, who has reached 28 on the singles rankings, looms as an option for captain Lleyton Hewitt along with Alexei Popyrin.

Australia will play the USA on Friday in their opening tie.

Originally published as Australia bowed out of the Billie Jean King Cup in the quarter-finals