Australia V Ukraine Fed Cup Tie In The Balance

Ukraine could have easily been 2-0 up after day one action in Canberra for the Fed Cup Group II tie.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine celebrates winning in her Fed Cup debut against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

Australia’s top ranked player, Ash Barty took time to adjust to the inconsistent bounce you expect on a grass court and had to come from behind against Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018.

Barty got Australia on the board with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.

Next up it was the 15-year-old rising star, Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova.

Both players struggled to hold serve in the first set and it was a tie-breaker that saw Kostyuk take the early advantage. She then piled on the pressure with early breaks in the second set before recording a victory in her debut match. The score was 7-6(3), 6-3.

Gavrilova admitted after the match to have trouble with timing on the grass court, but grass was Australia’s pick and she has to get on with it in the reverse singles on Sunday.

Kostyuk just says she plays a point at a time and that is all there is to think about as she continued her hot form in Australia. Her Australian Open loss coming at the hands of her absent countrywoman, Elena Svitolina in the third round at the Australian Open. Kostyuk also won a minor tournament in Burnie, Tasmania after the Australian Open.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine plays a backhand in her singles match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ashleigh Barty of Australia hitting a forehand in her singles match against Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ashleigh Barty of Australia plays a forehand in her singles match against Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: An embroidered hat worn by a linesman during the match between Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine plays a forehand in her singles match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ashleigh Barty of Australia celebrates winning the opening match of the Fed Cup tie against Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ashleigh Barty of Australia hits balls into the crowd after winning the opening match of the Fed Cup tie against Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ukraine Fed Cup Captain Mikhail Filima at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ashleigh Barty of Australia is interviewed after winning the opening match of the Fed Cup tie against Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Kichenok speaking during her post-match press conference after losing the opening match of the Fed Cup tie against Ashleigh Barty at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia serves in her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the second match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia plays a forehand in her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine stretches to play a backhand in her singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine jumps to play a backhand in her debut singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine plays a forehand in her Fed Cup debut singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia hitting a backhand in her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia hitting a slice backhand in her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia hitting a double-handed backhand in her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia hitting a forehand in her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine playing a forehand in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine follows through after playing a forehand in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine hitting a forehand in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine hitting a backhand in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine hitting a shot in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine slips after hitting a shot in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine hitting a backhand shot in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine hitting a forehand shot in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine celebrates winning a service break in her debut Fed Cup singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia celebrates a point in her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in her Fed Cup debut against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine plays a backhand during the first set tie-break in her Fed Cup debut against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine plays a forehand during the first set tie-break in her Fed Cup debut against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine serving during the first set tie-break in her Fed Cup debut against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Destanee Aiava looks on during the match between Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine and Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Mikhail Lelima, Ukraine Fed Cup Captain looks on

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia listens to the media after her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Daria Gavrilova of Australia speaks to the media after her singles match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine speaks to the media after her singles match against Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Ashleigh Barty of Australia with team captain, Alicia Molik, in her singles match against Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: The souther stand crowd during the match between Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Lyudmyla Kichenok of Ukraine during the opening match of the Fed Cup tie between Australia and the Ukraine at the Canberra Tennis Centre on February 10, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Rob Keating/Keating Media)