United States beat Belarus to win first Fed Cup title since 2000

The American, 25, won all eight of her Fed Cup matches in the 2017 campaign -- the first player to do so since the current format was introduced in 2005 -- and needed to be at her peak Sunday in helping her country to a 3-2 victory over hosts Belarus.

The final went down to the wire in Minsk, with Vandeweghe and partner Shelby Rogers winning the final doubles tie against Aryna Sabalenka and Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-3 7-6, having trailed in the second set

'It feels perfectly believable and unbelievable,' world No. 10 Vandeweghe told reporters. 'I'm ready for a vacation.

'It was a lot of work and a lot of dedication to the Fed Cup, in each and every round. To dedicate my time and energy through my season to be able to perform the best I could for Team USA.'

It was a record 18th Fed Cup title for the US, ending a run of three consecutive titles for the Czech Republic, who the US defeated in the semifinals.

Not since Lisa Raymond, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati lifted the trophy in 2000 has the US won the competition.

READ: 'Sexist' draw ceremony takes tennis 'back to zero'

Vandeweghe has enjoyed the best season of her career to date in grand slams, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and the French Open.

The 25-year-old had given the US a 2-1 lead in Minsk after defeating Sabalenka 7-6 6-1 in a singles match-up, but Sasnovich forced a decider by beating US Open champion Sloane Stephens 4-6 6-1 8-6 in a three-set epic.

READ: Rafa or Roger - who will win at ATP Finals?

Stephens has now lost all six of her games since claiming her first grand slam.

Belarus were without star player and two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka, who resides in California, a she is s not traveling to tournaments during the ongoing custody battle with her son.

The USA, meanwhile, were missing Serena and Venus Williams, the former tweeting her congratulations to the team.

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'I'm just really thrilled for all four of the players,' said team captain Kathy Rinaldi.

'CoCo came out and just played unbelievable, Shelby stepped up, and Sloane -- my heart was broken for her, but she battled this whole weekend, she battled all the way to the end. I'm so proud of all four of them.'

Go to CNN.com/sport for more stories & features 'It feels perfectly believable and unbelievable,' world No. 10 Vandeweghe told reporters. 'I'm ready for a vacation. 'CoCo came out and just played unbelievable, Shelby stepped up, and Sloane -- my heart was broken for her, but she battled this whole weekend, she battled all the way to the end. I'm so proud of all four of them.' 'It was a lot of work and a lot of dedication to the Fed Cup, in each and every round. To dedicate my time and energy through my season to be able to perform the best I could for Team USA.' 'I'm just really thrilled for all four of the players,' said team captain Kathy Rinaldi. 'CoCo came out and just played unbelievable, Shelby stepped up, and Sloane -- my heart was broken for her, but she battled this whole weekend, she battled all the way to the end. I'm so proud of all four of them.' The American, 25, won all eight of her Fed Cup matches in the 2017 campaign -- the first player to do so since the current format was introduced in 2005 -- and needed to be at her peak Sunday in helping her country to a 3-2 victory over hosts Belarus. 'It feels perfectly believable and unbelievable,' world No. 10 Vandeweghe told reporters. 'I'm ready for a vacation. The USA, meanwhile, were missing Serena and Venus Williams, the former tweeting her congratulations to the team. 'It feels perfectly believable and unbelievable,' world No. 10 Vandeweghe told reporters. 'I'm ready for a vacation. READ: 'Sexist' draw ceremony takes tennis 'back to zero' READ: Rafa or Roger - who will win at ATP Finals? It was a record 18th Fed Cup title for the US, ending a run of three consecutive titles for the Czech Republic, who the US defeated in the semifinals. Stephens has now lost all six of her games since claiming her first grand slam. Not since Lisa Raymond, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati lifted the trophy in 2000 has the US won the competition. It was a record 18th Fed Cup title for the US, ending a run of three consecutive titles for the Czech Republic, who the US defeated in the semifinals. It was a record 18th Fed Cup title for the US, ending a run of three consecutive titles for the Czech Republic, who the US defeated in the semifinals. Belarus were without star player and two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka, who resides in California, a she is s not traveling to tournaments during the ongoing custody battle with her son. Stephens has now lost all six of her games since claiming her first grand slam. The USA, meanwhile, were missing Serena and Venus Williams, the former tweeting her congratulations to the team. READ: 'Sexist' draw ceremony takes tennis 'back to zero' Go to CNN.com/sport for more stories & features The USA, meanwhile, were missing Serena and Venus Williams, the former tweeting her congratulations to the team. READ: Rafa or Roger - who will win at ATP Finals? The USA, meanwhile, were missing Serena and Venus Williams, the former tweeting her congratulations to the team. Vandeweghe has enjoyed the best season of her career to date in grand slams, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and the French Open.

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