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Jarmila Gajdosova “struggled mentally”

Australia’s Fed Cup captain David Taylor admitted Jarmila Gajdosova had “struggled mentally” when losing to the unheralded Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland in an epic match in Fribourg delighting those who had capitalised on long odds on pre-match tennis betting offers.

The defeat, which followed US Open champion Sam Stosur accounting for Timea Bacsinszky 6-2 7-5, ensured the tie would go down to the wire in Sunday’s reverse singles and shocked those watching the live tennis.

World number 124 caused the shock of the day when edging world number 40 Gajdosova 6-0 6-7 (8-10) 8-6 in an arm wrestle lasting two hours and 28 minutes on the temporary indoor clay court at the Forum Fribourg.

Bratislava-born right-hander Gajdosova – a winner of two WTA Tour titles (Hobart 2011 and Guangzhou 2010 – produced 77 unforced errors to her opponent’s 56 and Taylor admitted his charge had failed to silence the boisterous home crowd.

“She struggled mentally throughout the match and struggled with the crowd,” Taylor said.

“She did not deal with that well.

“But she kept on fighting and gave herself opportunities although she was not playing her best.”

Taylor would not rule out changes for Sunday’s reverse singles with either Jelena Dokic or Casey Dellacqua a chance of replacing the crestfallen Melbourne resident Gajdosova, who has previously reached the third round of the French Open and Wimbledon on five occasions.

The Aussies must win the tie against the Swiss and defeat one of the World Group first-round losers in April to be promoted to the elite eight-nation competition next year.