The Czech Republic took their 7th Fed Cup title as they defended in style this weekend. No team had ever recovered from a 0-2 deficit to win, and the Serbs still couldn't as the Czechs secured the tie 3-1.
(Rank)
12 Ivanovic gave the Serbs a glimmer of hope as she defeated (8) Kvitova 63 75. Kvitova didn't recover well after yesterday's match due to her recent illness. She was too rash and anxious to finish the points quickly, forcing her to hit too many unforced errors. Still, she used this all out aggression to come back from 2-5 down to level in the 2nd, giving the Serb's something to think about. Ivanovic was too strong though, finishing off on a trademark forehand and giving the Serbs a chance.
17 Safarova, the star of this weekend, extinguished any hope the Serbs had of a revival. Despite trailing 1-5 in their head to head, she was at her aggressive best against Jankovic to seal the deal 61 61, bringing the house down!
The Czech's proved they were the number one team and the Kvitova/Safarova combination will prove tough to beat next year, especially if they're playing indoors. The Serbs didn't play their best in their first Fed Cup final, Jankovic struggling particularly.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Czech's Cruise On 1st Day
In front of a capacity crowd in Prague, the defending Czechs didn't want to disappoint. And they didn't; setting up a 2-0 lead going into Sunday, giving the Serbs plenty to do tomorrow.
(Rank)
17 Safarova opened the day with a 64 63 win over (12) Ivanovic. She had beaten Ivanovic in their last 3 meetings and once again she was able to handle the Serb. After grabbing an early break, she made the most of 32 unforced errors by Ivanovic to give the Czechs a 1-0 lead. Safarova made the most of the early tension shown from Ivanovic, who repeatedly banged her racket on the ground in frustration. Safarova never flinched either when trying to close out the match, breaking to love to seal the deal.
8 Kvitova was a doubt coming into the rubber, having been suffering with bronchitis that forced her out of the WTA Championships. However, she was in fine form against Jankovic, winning 64 61 to give the Czechs a huge advantage. Despite going down 2-4 in the 1st, Kvitova reigned her game in and began to take advantage of the fast court. Even though she struggled with shaky legs and a headache, she wrapped up the win convincingly. Kvitova still hasn't lost a Fed Cup match since 2010.
The Serbs are appearing in their first Fed Cup final but will have it all to do tomorrow.
(Rank)
17 Safarova opened the day with a 64 63 win over (12) Ivanovic. She had beaten Ivanovic in their last 3 meetings and once again she was able to handle the Serb. After grabbing an early break, she made the most of 32 unforced errors by Ivanovic to give the Czechs a 1-0 lead. Safarova made the most of the early tension shown from Ivanovic, who repeatedly banged her racket on the ground in frustration. Safarova never flinched either when trying to close out the match, breaking to love to seal the deal.
8 Kvitova was a doubt coming into the rubber, having been suffering with bronchitis that forced her out of the WTA Championships. However, she was in fine form against Jankovic, winning 64 61 to give the Czechs a huge advantage. Despite going down 2-4 in the 1st, Kvitova reigned her game in and began to take advantage of the fast court. Even though she struggled with shaky legs and a headache, she wrapped up the win convincingly. Kvitova still hasn't lost a Fed Cup match since 2010.
The Serbs are appearing in their first Fed Cup final but will have it all to do tomorrow.
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