Rybakina leads Kazakhstan to BJK Cup victory over Australia

The world number 10 battled past Kim Birrell 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, rallying from 3-1 down in the first set and 5-1 behind in the second. It gave Kazakhstan an unsurmountable 2-0 lead after world number 23 Yulia Putintseva outclassed teenager Maya Joint 6-2, 6-1 in just 74 minutes in the opening rubber. "Such a difficult match and super happy to bring the win for the team, and Yulia did a great job in her match," said Rybakina, who has an 8-1 win singles record at the BJK Cup -- previously known as the Fed Cup.