Caroline Garcia is desperate to keep France’s unlikely United Cup run going after digging deep to beat Italy’s Jasmine Paolini and book her country’s spot in the quarter-finals.
Garcia’s 6-4 5-7 6-4 win followed Adrian Mannarino’s 6-4 6-4 victory over Lorenzo Sonego in the men’s singles at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
It means France tops Group D regardless of the outcome of the mixed doubles rubber and will face Norway in the last eight of the tournament.
France had beaten a star-studded German side containing Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber 2-1 in their earlier tie, and world No.20 Garcia hopes it is a sign of things to come.
“It was not an easy group and we have gone a step further than last year,” Garcia said.
“Obviously we’re very happy with it and we want to keep going.
“It’s a great experience and it’s great to play for your country, and even so far from home we can feel a lot of support from French people in Australia.”
Later on Wednesday, Greece and Canada will compete for the final berth in the quarter-finals in Sydney, with intrigue over the fitness of Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Last year’s Australian Open runner-up pulled out of Greece’s men’s singles rubber with a back complaint, only taking to the court in the mixed doubles against Chile.
In Perth, the quarter-finals get under way, with Poland meeting China and hosts Australia facing Serbia.
The two sides who qualify for the semi-finals will be afforded a travel day to get to Sydney for Saturday’s last-four match-ups.