Eight-time Grand Slam champion Samantha Stosur is banking on a strong camaraderie within the Australia team to help topple Mexico in her debut as captain at the Billie Jean King Cup.

Seven-time champions Australia seized control of their Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Mexico on Friday despite losing Storm Hunter on the eve of the tie to a serious Achilles injury.

Naomi Osaka was not required to play after teammate Nao Hibino yesterday sent Japan to their first Billie Jean King Cup Finals in a 3-1 qualifying win over Kazakhstan, while Australia surged into the finals with a 4-0 victory over Mexico, handing Grand Slam champion Samantha Stosur a winning start to her reign as captain.

Australia surged into the Billie Jean King Cup finals Saturday with a 4-0 victory over Mexico, handing Grand Slam champion Samantha Stosur a winning start to her reign as captain. Zacarias was bidding to bank her 22nd Billie Jean King Cup match win and claim sole ownership of the record by a Mexican player.