Fed Cup final: Czechs take 2-0 lead over United States

Posted - November 14 2018 00:38

Fed Cup final: Czechs take 2-0 lead over United States

The Czech player won 72 per cent of points from her first serve, including five aces, on her way to a 6-3, 7-6 victory.

In an exciting back-and-forth rubber lasting three hours 45 minutes, Siniakova held off the 19-year-old Fed Cup debutante 7-5 5-7 7-5 to give the Czechs a 3-0 win in the best-of-five final before being embraced by team mates in front of the 14,500 fans at the O2 Arena.

The mighty Czech Fed Cup team will hope to harness all its home support in Prague this weekend when it comes up against one of its most formidable adversaries, the USA.

The inexperienced U.S. team are without Serena and Venus Williams as well as Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys, while the hosts have Karolina Pliskova injured.

Strycova took a 5-2 lead in the third and despite giving up two breaks, she took the set 6-4.

"Anything can happen in Fed Cup and tomorrow is another day", she said.

The result means the Czechs have now won the event six times in the last eight years, their latest triumph coming despite being without the injured Karolina Pliskova and Petra Kvitova, who was absent from Saturday's singles due to illness.

More news: Election Day 2018: Free Food Deals for Midterm Voters

The clash will begin with Kenin taking on Barbora Strycova before Riske faces Katerina Siniakova.

In doubles, the last match of the final, Riske and Danielle Collins are scheduled to meet No. 1-ranked pair Barbora Krejcikova and Siniakova. The Czech dominated it, converting the second match point when Riske sent a backhand wide.

The Czechs were without their two top players against a United States team who were the defending champions but were also missing their stars and fielding three tournament newcomers, including Kenin.

Siniakova broke Riske for 6-5 in the second set but the 63rd -ranked American forced a tiebreaker. Only Alison Riske has participated before, in three ties.

The 32-year-old Strycova, who has announced retirement from the Fed Cup after the final, struggled with her serve throughout a nervous first set.

"It's amusing because it's her (Kenin) first one, and this is my last one, so for me it was a lot of emotions".

Strycova, who was tearful during the national anthems, said: "It's amusing because it's her first tie and my last one". "The atmosphere was just incredible".

Related news

12 November 2018

Early concessions haunt Man United again as Matic, Herrera struggle
And City claimed a third to record the winning margin that their performance deserved when Ilkay Gundogan scored four minutes from full-time.

04 November 2018

Red Sox, Astros co-favorites to take 2019 World Series
For a dozen years, Steve Pearce was on the move. "And to be here right now is a dream come true". Kershaw took off his glove and showed little emotion as Pearce finished his trot.

04 November 2018

Matt Patricia tells reporter to 'sit up' during press conference
Why do you feel like this move makes your franchise better?" Patricia then answered the question. "Those decisions are not easy. During the season, the playbook gets a little smaller because it's game-plan-specific, so I think that will help him, too".
08 November 2018

Dead man wins election in the US
Arguably the single biggest victor in the US Midterms is a brothel owner who has been elected as a congressman for Nevada. Hof had nicknamed himself the "Trump from Pahrump", after the town where he lived in Nevada.

08 November 2018

Why Marijuana Was A Big Winner From 2018 Midterms (CGC)(CRON)(TLRY)(APHA)
Sessions was defeated by Democrat Colin Allred , a medical marijuana supporter who has criticized Sessions' anti-pot prejudices. MI voters approved a measure permitting people over age 21 to smoke pot recreationally.

01 November 2018

Saudi sisters' bound bodies wash ashore in mystery
In a follow-up statement , the Saudi Arabian consulate described the pair as "students accompanying their brother in Washington". They said there was no reason to think the sister was abducted or in danger, which is why no images were released to the public.
08 November 2018

EPL: Big win takes Man City back to top spot
On his way back to full fitness and Spurs have missed his link-up play that gets the best out of lead striker Harry Kane. Hopefully, Morata's recent form can give him the confidence he needs to carry on scoring on a regular basis.

07 November 2018

Apple reportedly cancels iPhone XR production boost
Apple's Asian suppliers tanked after a bruising day of trading after a negative report about the iPhone XR sent Apple tumbling. In Foxconn's case, it prepared 60 production lines for the iPhone XR, but so far has only used 45.

02 November 2018

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct Nov 1
Instead, the matchmaking will rely on preferred rules, your global smash power, and your proximity to other players. But it does contain a Mii Fighter outfit, and Xenoblade Spirits and music from the Xenoblade Chronicles.
12 November 2018

Ariana Grande surprises with new single
On Twitter, the ponytailed pop star said it's the "nicest thing anyone's ever done" for her. Over the weekend, the singer addressed her various breakups in her new song Thank U, Next .

11 November 2018

Explosive California wildfire wipes out town of Paradise
Butte County Sheriff's Office said an evacuation ordered had been issued for the small communities of Stirling City and Inskip. Napoli left with her friend, the friend's son and her mother who is in her 90s and had to leave behind her oxygen tank.

10 November 2018

Liverpool legend reveals the 'worrying' thing he's noticed about Jurgen Klopp's side
However, the Liverpool fan account @TheAnfieldWrap have now come back with the flawless response. There was to be no way back for Liverpool as the Red Star fans celebrated a famous victory.