Australia's Sam Stosur put in a ruthless display to dispose of America's Melanie Oudin in straight sets in their Hopman Cup encounter.
World No.13 Stosur, who suffered a shock loss to Romania's Sorana Cirstea on the opening day, powered past world No.48 Oudin 6-2 6-4 in 67 minutes.
Lleyton Hewitt can clinch the tie win with victory over world No.34 John Isner in the men's singles rubber.
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Australia must win the tie in order to keep their title dreams alive following their upset 2-1 loss to Romania on Saturday.
Stosur secured the first set in just 26 minutes but faced a sterner test in the second, saving three break points before securing a break of her own to open a 4-2 lead.
Oudin held serve to keep the match alive but Stosur calmly served out the match to secure her first win of 2010.
