Mladenovic powers France to 1-0 lead over Australia

Kristina Mladenovic powered France to a perfect start in the Fed Cup final on Saturday with a straight-sets defeat of Australian debutant Ajla Tomljanovic.

World No.40 Mladenovic dominated Tomljanovic on the hard outdoor court to record a 6-1, 6-1 victory in 72 minutes as France took a 1-0 lead at Perth Arena.

No.51 Tomljanovic was surprisingly chosen over former US Open champion Samantha Stosur as Australia's second singles player behind world No.1 Ashleigh Barty.

France's Kristina Mladenovic prepares to serve to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

The 26-year-old, Croatian-born Tomljanovic only received clearance from the International Tennis Federation to represent her adopted country last month.

She was broken six times and recorded just two winners for the match.

"It's a tough task for Ajla playing straight away in the final," Mladenovic said after the match. "I almost played a perfect match. I was really in the zone."

France's Kristina Mladenovic plays a shot against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

The spotlight appeared too bright for a nervous Tomljanovic whose tentative serve was broken four times in a one-sided, 38-minute first set.

Tomljanovic only hit the scoreboard in the fourth game when Mladenovic struggled on serve and double-faulted twice.

Mladenovic, who was part of France's team in the 2016 decider to the Czech Republic, regrouped and relentlessly hit the lines as the heat intensified on Tomljanovic amid sweltering conditions with the temperature set to hit 40C (104F) on the opening day.

France's Kristina Mladenovic plays a shot against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

The Australian finally held serve on her seventh attempt, but it only slightly delayed Mladenovic's inevitable victory.

Australia hasn't tasted success since 1974 when Evonne Goolagong, Dianne Fromholtz and Janet Young defeated the United States 2-1 in Italy.

France last won the Fed Cup in 2003 and most recently made the final in 2016.

French fans cheer for compatriot Kristina Mladenovic during her match against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

Barty and former world No.4 Caroline Garcia clash in the second singles match.

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France's Kristina Mladenovic plays a shot against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

France's Kristina Mladenovic reacts after winning a point against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

France's Kristina Mladenovic prepares to serve to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

France's Kristina Mladenovic celebrates winning her match against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

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Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)