Czech Republic on verge of Fed Cup title

petrakvitova

The Czech side made a quick start to the final against Germany in Prague, with each of their opening selections recording straight-sets wins to open up a 2-0 lead with three matches to play.

Kvitova led the way for the hosts with a 6-2 6-4 win over Andrea Petkovic, while Safarova was similarly impressive in her 6-4 6-4 triumph against Angelique Kerber.

Having been handed the responsibility of playing the opening match, Wimbledon champion Kvitova dropped only five points in reeling off the first three games.

The world number three continued to dominate with strong, attacking play and moved 5-1 ahead with her second break.

Petkovic fought back to save two set points before breaking herself, but Kvitova was quickly back into her stride and won another game on her opponent's serve to take the first set.

There was an exchange of breaks at the start of the second set, which remained tight until Kvitova made a decisive impact when 5-4 ahead.

Petkovic double-faulted to concede a first match point and Kvitova was able to celebrate as the German hit long.

Safarova provided the home crowd with a further boost as she saw off Kerber to leave Czech Republic requiring just one further point for victory.

Kerber initially took the lead by breaking in game five, but Safarova hit back by winning four games in a row from 2-4 down.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Safarova finishing the stronger and breaking for a fifth time in the match to seal her first win over Kerber.

Germany now face the daunting task of having to win all three games on Sunday to lift the title, something that no side has ever done in the history of the Fed Cup.

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