Samantha Stosur will launch Australia’s Fed Cup semi-final tilt in Brisbane on Saturday after earning a singles recall against Belarus ahead of Daria Gavrilova.
The former US Open champion was captain Alicia Molik’s surprise selection at Friday’s draw to play world No.10 Aryna Sabalenka.
Victoria Azarenka was also named to play singles for the visitors and will line up against doubles partner and Australia’s world No.9 Ashleigh Barty in the other singles rubber.
Australia haven’t won a Fed Cup title since 1974 while Belarus are aiming to go one better after a 2-3 loss to the United States in the 2017 decider.
Stosur withdrew from Fed Cup consideration last year as she battled form and fitness.
But Molik added the former world No.4 to the squad at the expense of Kimberly Birrell and has given her a chance to send the hosts into their first final since 1993.