Australia's women tennis players believe they're on track to return to the Fed Cup World Group, despite requiring a Casey Dellacqua win to save them from opening-day humiliation in their playoff with the Netherlands.
Dellacqua's crucial 7-5 6-3 win over lowly-ranked Arantxa Rus levelled the tie at one rubber apiece, after Jarmila Gajdosova's surprise defeat to Dutch No.1 Kiki Bertens on Saturday.
On what shaped as a horror day for the Australians in 's-Hertogenbosch, top-ranked Sam Stosur was a game-day withdrawal due to an Achilles complaint and remains unlikely for day two.
Dellacqua is preparing to take her place again in the reverse singles and says she and Gajdosova need to assert their dominance over their less-fancied rivals.
"Jarka (Gajdosova) and I are both ranked top 50 in the world and I think we have to take that into tomorrow and know that we are the better players," Dellacqua told AAP by telephone.
Stosur's absence, combined with Gajdosova's 6-1 6-3 thrashing at the hands of 86th-ranked Bertens, caused early headaches for Australia captain Alicia Molik.
But Dellacqua's levelling victory over the world No.217 restored Australia's favouritism to win their way back into the elite World Group ahead of the doubles and reverse singles.
"We're still really confident," Molik told AAP.
"Jarka will be all the better for having a match today.
"Casey should be riding high on a lot of adrenalin. She has so much to be proud of.
"I think it will be a real springboard for tomorrow.
"It's a level that I would be happy for Casey to hold (on Sunday).
"I don't think she has to go up a level for Bertens."
Rus, who has not played in the main draw of a WTA Tour event this year, provided more fight than expected, getting back from 5-1 down in the first set as Dellacqua's powerful groundstrokes turned into ugly mis-hits before she recovered to close out the straight-sets win and save Australia's blushes.
"I came out all guns blazing and I think I surprised myself a little bit," Dellacqua said.
Earlier, an out-of-sorts Gajdosova looked frustrated as she folded meekly to be broken three times in losing six consecutive games to concede the first set.
Despite being ranked 38 spots higher than her opponent, Gajdosova was thoroughly outplayed but both Molik and Dellacqua backed her to turn it around against Rus.
"There's no question she was getting frustrated," Molik said.
"She's an aggressive player. I never want her to go out on the court and be passive and reactive.
"Tomorrow is about sharpening up on the finishing shots.
"She can draw on a lot of experience and belief. She's played so many Fed Cup matches.
"Jarka will have so much more confidence than Arantxa (who's) a lot younger and less experienced."
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