STUTTGART, Germany — Mona Barthel has beaten Bojana Jovanovski to pull Germany level at 2-2 against Serbia in the Fed Cup playoff Sunday.
Barthel had to win to keep Germany in the best-of-five series after Ana Ivanovic had given Serbia a 2-1 lead by beating Angelique Kerber 7-5, 7-5. The tie will be decided by the doubles with the winner advancing to the top-tier World Group next season.
Barthel won 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, after saving three break points in the third set and then breaking serve for a 5-3 lead. She served out the match with an ace.
Ivanovic won both her singles. She trailed 3-1 in the first set but rallied despite facing 11 break points. Kerber saved three match points before sending a forehand long to lose the match.