The Japan Times - Britain storm into Billie Jean King Cup finals with Australia thumping

Britain started the day with a commanding 2-0 lead after rising star Mika Stojsavljevic upset Talia Gibson and Dart beat Kimberly Birrell on day one.

It left Australia's Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez facing a must-win clash on John Cain Arena in Melbourne, but they failed to rise to the occasion and crashed 6-3, 6-4.

"That feels amazing," said an emotional Burrage who has battled injuries in recent times.

"I'm proud of us for the way that we played, way that we came out and managed to close that out."

Victory propelled Britain -- semi-finalists last year -- into the September eight-team finals in Shenzhen, China.

Hunter and Perez broke early for a 3-1 lead, but they imploded with Dart and Burrage reeling off the next five games to claim the opening set.

A seesawing second set saw four service breaks before the British pair broke again for a 5-4 advantage and Burrage made no mistakes in serving out for the win.

It was an impressive victory with none of Britain's top four making the long trip with Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Fran Jones opting to focus on the European clay-court season and Sonay Kartal hurt.

"They're two great players," said Dart of Hunter and Perez. "They play a lot of doubles and it was our first time playing together.

"It's crazy actually because we played pretty well and to be able to make the finals is just kind of surreal."

Seven ties are being played this weekend with two-time defending champions Italy, spearheaded by Jasmine Paolini, 2-0 up at home against Japan.

But last year's runners-up the United States -- record 18-time competition winners -- have their work cut out, trailing Belgium 2-0 in Ostend.

K.Tanaka--JT