'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, Netherlands — Casey Dellacqua, a late replacement for the injured Samantha Stosur, beat Arantxa Rus in straight sets to draw Australia level with the Netherlands after the first day Saturday of their Fed Cup World Group playoff.
Australia, a losing semifinalist last year, suffered a setback before the tie even started when former U.S. Open champion Stosur pulled out after aggravating an Achilles tendon injury.
But Dellacqua made sure she wasn't missed, stepping in to beat Rus 7-5, 6-3 in a tight second match.
The lefthander from Perth rushed to a 5-1 lead in the opening set before Rus reeled off four straight games to level the set.