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.
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