Defending Fed Cup champions, the Czech Republic, have named a pretty strong team as they look to defend their crown on their home turf in Prague at the O2 Arena beginning November 14. Team captain Petr Pála has gone with WTA Finals finalist Petra Kvtiova, WTA Finals qualifier Lucie Safarova, Karolina Pliskova, and Barbora Strycova. It’s an interesting decision from Pala to bring two players more known for their singles prowess rather than the accomplished doubles team of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.
Czech Republic’s Road To The Final
The Czechs started their road for a fourth title in the last five years in Canada. With the Canadians naming a weak squad without star Eugenie Bouchard, the defending champs named a much weaker squad. The team starred Karolina Pliskova and swept 4-0 with one rubber not being played.
Against France in the semifinals, the Czechs were the hosts and played this one at the Cez Arena in Ostrava. The team named was a strong one with Safarova, Kvitova, Pliskova, and Strycova all being named to the team. The hosts dominated, winning the first three singles rubbers to seal the deal early against the French. Safarova had to come from behind against Caroline Garcia to take the match, but it was smooth sailing for Kvitova in the following two rubbers. It was not a sweep as the French took the dead doubles rubber in a super tiebreak third set.
Czech Mate
It has been a dominant run for the Czechs in Fed Cup. Should the team win this year, this will be the fourth title in the last five years, only missing out in 2013. All three titles have come under the captaincy of Pala who has brought new life to the meaning of Fed Cup in the Czech Republic with all their titles coming under their current flag; their first five titles came under the Czechoslovakian flag.