Perth was Monday named as host city for the Fed Cup final between Australia and France later this year - the first to be held Down Under for four decades. The women's team showdown on November 9-10 will be played on hardcourts at the west coast city's RAC Arena, Tennis Australia announced.
Recently crowned French Open champion Ashleigh Barty is expected to lead seven-time champions Australia in their first home Fed Cup final since 1978. They last won the title in 1974. "It's particularly exciting to be making this announcement just a little over a week since Ash Barty won the French Open," Australian Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik said in a statement.
"Women's tennis is in an extremely powerful position in Australia at the minute and I'm so proud of every team member who has been a part of this two-year journey to reach the final." Australia reached their first final in 26 years by seeing off Belarus in April, while France edged past Romania in the other semi-final.