USA tops Belarus for 18th Fed Cup
The USA claimed their first Fed Cup since 2000 - and their 18th overall - Sunday, beating upstart Belarus 3-2 in the fifth rubber at Minsk's Chizovka Arena.
The doubles tandem of Shelby Rogers and CoCo Vandeweghe clinched the win for America, besting Aryna Sabalenka and Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-3, 7-6(3). Despite a close second set, America finally sealed the victory in tiebreak, completing the match in 1:51.
Aggressive play from the Belarusians lent itself to 23 winners in the match, but also produced 40 unforced errors. The American duo, anchored by WTA singles No. 10 Vandeweghe, tallied 13 winners and 27 unforced errors.
Reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens and WTA singles No. 70 Alison Riske shared in the victory for the American side, as well as team captain Kathy Rinaldi.