Australia 2 France 3. fed cup 2019 final. #KMladenovic

France were crowned Fed Cup by BNP Paribas champions for a third time after Kristina Mladenovic stole the show in the 2019 final in Perth, producing three performances that stunned their Australian opponents and wowed the 13,000-strong crowd at the RAC Arena.

Starting the day all square at 1-1, the French No.1 followed her rout of Aussie debutant Ajla Tomljanovic on Saturday with a resolute comeback win over world No.1 Ashleigh Barty in the day’s opening match, battling to a 2-6 6-4 7-6(1) victory that put the visitors 2-1 in front.

Australia levelled up when Tomljanovic returned to clinch a clutch 6-4 7-5 victory over Pauline Parmentier and send the final into a decisive doubles, where Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia held their nerve to down Barty and Samantha Stosur 6-4 6-3 to secure a dramatic triumph.

“It’s been a long journey – it’s been a dream of a kid,” Mladenovic said. “I gave some much personally for this achievement in my career, something I wanted – you know, it was on the bucket list.

“And to be in Australia, to face such a strong team with the world No.1 and to have this thriller match with her, 7-6 in the third, I can’t believe… I still don’t really realise what happened. And to lift that trophy, it’s an unforgettable moment.”