Laura Siegemund was hailed for her mental fortitude in the face of 10,000 Brazilian fans as the German women progressed to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Siegemund won both her singles matches in the weekend qualifier in Sao Paulo to give Germany a 3-1 win over Brazil in the women's team tennis tournament.
The 36-year-old secured the decisive third point for Germany with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 win in the fourth singles rubber against Carolina Alves.
"It was an absolute cauldron for Laura," team captain Rainer Schüttler said about the atmosphere in the Arena Ginásio Ibirapuera. "She was mentally strong in the third set and won the match, which we really deserved after this week."
In the third singles match, Anna-Lena Friedsam was beaten 7-5, 0-6, 1-6 by Beatriz Haddad Maia. Siegemund and Tatjana Maria had already put the German team 2-0 up the previous day, with Siegemund defeating Haddad Maia in straight sets and Maria overcoming Laura Pigossi in three.
Angelique Kerber, still finding her way back after a long maternity leave, was pencilled in for the doubles but the rubber was not needed. It was the second straight year Germany had beaten Brazil in the qualifiers.
The Finals will take place in Seville in November. Alongside Germany, 2023 champions Canada, 2023 runners-up Italy, host nation Spain and wild card the Czech Republic will be joined by Australia, Poland, Britain, the United States, Japan, Slovakia and Romania.