The 30-year-old former world No.20 has since forced her way back into the top 100, but was set to be a shock snubbing in favour of Hunter and Rodionova.

Rodionova has overcome a serious wrist injury to attain career-best form since returning in 2023, while Hunter has maintained her status as one of the globe’s leading doubles players, and reached the third round of the Australian Open in singles this year.

Hunter also made the final of the Mumbai Open in February, and has been a proven performer in the Billie Jean King Cup, while Saville’s recent outings have included a round of 32 exit at the Charleston Open, round of 64 defeat in Miami, and a quarter-finals charge at the San Diego Open.

The victor of the looming clashes at Pat Rafter Arena will progress to the world finals of the all-female team tournament in November, an event Australia has not won in 50 years.

Rodionova will face off with Giuliana Olmos in the first match, set to begin at midday on Friday, before Saville takes on Marcela Zacarias.

The opponents will then swap on Saturday from noon, however Stosur may be able to bring Hunter back into the fold should she miraculously recover in time.

If she does not, Saville will also line up on Saturday and a decision will be made on who joins Perez in the doubles fold.

“It certainly wasn’t an easy decision, I think all the players have certainly put their hand up to play this weekend – they’ve been very high-quality practices, and it wasn’t taken lightly,” Stosur said of her initial selections at Thursday morning’s unveiling of the draw to take.

“It’s not like putting any of these girls in was going to be a bad choice. It’s tough. They’re all very similar in rankings at the moment or have been exceptionally well in recent times, so … I guess some of it you have to go with your gut and put it out there.

“We’ve got five very high-quality players to pick from to play in any of these matches.”