Vandeweghe stars as US win Fed Cup

CoCo Vandeweghe lifted the United States to its first Fed Cup triumph since 2000 after winning all three of her rubbers against Belarus in Minsk.

The game’s newest member of the top 10, Vandeweghe won both her singles rubbers at the weekend before combining with Shelby Rogers to win the doubles rubber, sealing a 3-2 win for the visitors.

Vandeweghe and Rogers were forced to battle Aryna Sabalenka and Aliaksandra Sasnovich in a live doubles rubber after Sloane Stephens blew a 5-2 third-set lead in the fourth rubber against Sasnovich.

USA are #FedCup World Champions! @CoCoVandey and @Shelby_Rogers_ defeat #Sabalenka and #Sasnovich 63 76(3) to clinch the title ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/vC87dAj1Mb

— Fed Cup (@FedCup) November 12, 2017

Victory for Stephens – who also lost in three sets on Saturday to Sabalenka – would have delivered the US an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Yet Vandeweghe’s straight-sets win over Sasnovich on Saturday coupled with a 7-6(5) 6-1 victory over Sabalenka in the first of the reverse singles rubbers on Sunday ensured the US always had its nose in front.

“It feels perfectly believable and unbelievable. I’m ready for a vacation,” Vandeweghe said after she and Rogers beat the Belarusian duo 6-3 7-6(3), having trailed 5-2 in the second set.

“I had a great time out there. I really relished in that moment of having the crowd against me and firing myself up and believing in myself.”

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The tie, played before a packed, atmospheric crowd at Minsk’s Chizhovka Arena, generated plenty of interest among players not competing.

American Serena Williams was a frequent tweeter during the tie as was Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka.

great job team USA and @CoCoVandey! Let's go! Fight on!!!

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 12, 2017

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/pndv2Bx6uM

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) November 12, 2017

Following the United States’ win, fellow Americans Madison Keys, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Lauren Davis and Christina McHale also tweeted their congratulations.

SO PROUD!! Well done ladies ????????????????????????#fedcupchamps

— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) November 12, 2017

YASSSSS!!! ???? ???????????????? I’m celebrating with Team USA in spirit!!!! @usta

— Bethanie MattekSands (@BMATTEK) November 12, 2017

Congrats to this amazing team for taking home the Fed Cup title!!! Love it!!!! #teamUSAtennis #proudtobeanamerican?????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/K1hebxJWp2

— Lauren Davis (@LaurenDavis93) November 12, 2017

Yesssss!!!! ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/SHNIgfAfAP

— Christina McHale (@ChristinaMcHale) November 12, 2017

Legends Billie Jean King and Chris Evert did the same.

American men Mardy Fish and Bob Bryan also tweeted their congratulations for Team USA, while Belarusian doubles star Max Mirnyi supported his countrywomen from the sidelines in Minsk.

It is the United States 18th Fed Cup trophy.