Daria Gavrilova has had a rough start to 2019 but is ready to break her win drought in North Carolina this weekend when Australia take on the USA in the Fed Cup.
The 24-year-old is in the unfamiliar position of being the elder stateswoman of an Australian squad featuring Ashleigh Barty, Kimberly Birrell, Priscilla Hon and Astra Sharma.
Gavrilova is winless this year after Australian Open and St Petersburg Ladies Trophy first-round losses but, if selected to play, believes the extra boost of suiting up for Australia in the world group opening-round Fed Cup tie in Asheville will get her a victory.
"It will even be more special to get my first win not just for myself but Australia and my teammates," Gavrilova told AAP on Tuesday.
The US will be without Serena and Venus Williams.
They still boast a team led by world No.17 Madison Keys, Australian Open semi-finalist Danielle Collins, Sofia Kenin and Nicole Melichar.
Australian team captain Alicia Molik will announce Australia's singles and doubles players on Friday (Saturday AEDT).
Gavrilova, ranked 47 in the world, said the Australian team is not only focused on defeating the US this weekend, but is confident they can go all the way and claim the Fed Cup.
"I think we have a great young team and I think we can do some damage," she said.
"We all want to win the Fed Cup.
"We're definitely going to do everything to win it this year."
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