Australia captain Alicia Molik has lamented upcoming changes to the format of the Fed Cup as she vowed to complete a drought-breaking triumph on foreign soil after a heartbreaking loss to France at home on Sunday.
Hosts Australia fell in the decisive doubles match on Sunday to lose the tie 3-2 as their 45-year Fed Cup jinx continued. Australia fell short in front of a raucous crowd of 26,951 at Perth Arena over two days in the largest attendance for a Fed Cup final since 2005.
It was the last Fed Cup played in the home-and-away format. Starting next year, the women's tennis event will be a six-day tournament in April with 12 teams playing for an $18 million prize on clay courts in Budapest, Hungary.
Australian captain Alicia Molik urges her players Ash Barty and Sam Stosur during a points break in their Fed Cup tennis final in Perth, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoTrevor Collens)
The move follows in the footsteps of the revamped Davis Cup, which will showcase its first 18-team event later in Madrid starting on November 18.
Molik believed the home atmosphere was "really, really special". "It's a sad thing that the format is changing," she said. "Experiencing the final in your home country is the ultimate and unless the format changes we'll never have that again."
Molik, however, believed the clay court tournament could provide invaluable experience ahead of the French Open. "For the players they begin their preparation for the clay court events leading into the French Open, so I think it will be seamless for them," she said.
After Australia lost their ninth straight Fed Cup decider since its 1974 triumph, Molik said her team would be motivated by the agonizing defeat.
"We expect to be stronger, more resilient and more prepared," she said. "We expect to be in another Fed Cup final."
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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.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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)
