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Mixed fortunes for Aussies in Fed Cup tie

Australia will go into the Fed Cup doubles rubber with Ukraine level at 1-1 after mixed singles performances from Ash Barty and Daria Gavrilova.

Barty has survived an early scare to deliver Australia an opening Fed Cup win against Ukraine in Canberra.

The Australian No.1 dropped the first set against world No.883 Lyudmyla Kichenok in the World Group II tie but responded to take the opening rubber 4-6 6-1 6-4.

However, Gavrilova was unable to keep the momentum going against teen sensation Marta Kostyuk in the second rubber.

'Dasha' fought back to send the first set into a tiebreak but the 15-year-old Ukrainian upped the ante to take it 7-3 for a one set lead.

Kostyuk kept her foot on the throttle in the second set, racing away to claim the 7-6 6-3 victory.

Barty's first set was filled with unforced errors as the players attempted to adjust to the temporary grass court at Canberra Tennis Centre.

Kichenok, who has been ranked as high as 156, took it right up to Barty and sent some nerves into the Australian camp before the world No.16 took control of the match.

Barty said she was excited and nervous heading into her first Fed Cup singles rubber on home soil.

Barty and Gavrilova had mixed performances for Australia. Pic: Getty
Barty and Gavrilova had mixed performances for Australia. Pic: Getty

"I said to Mol (Australian captain Alicia Molik) straight after the national anthem, 'mate I've got goosebumps'," Barty said.

"There was a little bit of jelly legs in the first couple of games; I felt like there was a fair bit of pressure on me today."

Kichenok said "it's not Wimbeldon, for sure" when asked post-match about the state of the court.

Ukraine defeated Australia in their Fed Cup tie last year, but the visitors are without world No.3 Elina Svitolina this time.

With AAP