STUTTGART, Germany - Angelique Kerber defeated Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-4 to give Germany a 2-1 lead over Australia in their first round Fed Cup World Group tie on Sunday.

Kerber needed 1 hour, 27 minutes to prevail over the Australian No. 1, who had played 3 hours, 16 minutes before losing 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 to Andrea Petkovic the day before.

Kerber was much improved from her loss, by a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 margin to Jarmila Gajdosova, in Saturday's opening rubber.

Petkovic would secure Germany's semifinal place if she defeated Gajdosova later Sunday.

Should Gajdosova win, a doubles match featuring Julia Goerges and Sabine Lisicki against Casey Dellacqua and Stosur would decide who progresses.

Germany was last year's runner-up while Australia, which leads the countries' head-to-head matches 8-5, hasn't won the title since 1974.