Ostrava, Czech Republic (Sports Network) - Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova
both recorded straight-set singles victories on Saturday to give the host and
two-time reigning champion Czech Republic a 2-0 lead in an opening-round Fed
Cup tie against Australia.
Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion, led off by beating Jarmila Gajdosova 7-6
(7-2), 6-3 on the indoor hardcourt at Cez Arena, then Safarova followed up
with a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-4) decision over former U.S. Open
champion Samantha Stosur.
The Czechs, who captured a second straight Fed Cup title last year by beating
Serbia in the final, will attempt to clinch a spot in April's semifinals when
Kvitova takes the court against Stosur in the first reverse singles match on
Sunday.
If Stosur keeps Australia alive, Gajdosova will look to even the tie when she
faces Safarova.
Sunday's doubles match has a Czech tandem of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie
Hradecka battling an Aussie duo of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
The Czech Republic-Australia winner will meet the Italy-USA victor.
The Sports Network