Australia’s bid to win the Fed Cup for the first time in 45 years has ended in heartbreak with France prevailing in the doubles decider to claim a 3-2 victory in Perth.

French duo Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic were too good for world No.1 Ashleigh Barty and Samantha Stosur, cruising to a 6-4 6-3 victory on Sunday to secure the nation’s third Fed Cup crown and first since 2003.

Mladenovic earlier stunned Barty 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-1) in an epic two-and-a-half hour singles battle at RAC Arena to put France ahead in the best-of-five rubbers final.