CZECH REPUBLIC: THE ENVY OF FED CUP

Written by: Staff on 27th April 2015

CZECH REPUBLIC: THE ENVY OF FED CUP

epa04710185 Petra Kvitova (R) of the Czech Republic is congratulated by Czech Fed Cup team captain Petr Pala (L) after beating Kristina Mladenovic of France in their singles match of the Tennis Fed Cup semi final tie between the Czech Republic and France in Ostrava, Czech Republic, 18 April 2015. EPA/FILIP SINGER |

As the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas captains across the world reflect on this past weekend, there is no doubt they will look at Czech Republic with envy.

A fourth final in five years, fourteen consecutive live rubber victories and now a home final to look forward to in November: the Czechs are riding a wave of momentum and it looks as if it will take a monumental effort to stop them.

With three players currently inside the Top 13 in the world rankings and the benefit of having home advantage, Czech Republic will undoubtedly be the favourite for November’s final against Russia, although their share of favouritism depends on whether Maria Sharapova turns out for the visitors.

Once again, it was Petra Kvitova who sealed victory for her nation as she picked up her second win of the weekend against Caroline Garcia on Sunday. Boasting a player like the world No. 4 is a crucial reason why the Czechs have been so successful, though there are a number of other factors which all combine.

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic celebrates after beating Caroline Garcia of France in their singles match of the Tennis Fed Cup semi final tie between the Czech Republic and France in Ostrava, Czech Republic, 19 April 2015. EPA/FILIP SINGER

Czech Republic’s (L-R) Karolina Pliskova, Lucie Safarova, Petra Kvitova and Borbora Strycova celebrate after beating France in the Tennis Fed Cup semi final tie between the Czech Republic and France in Ostrava, Czech Republic, 19 April 2015. EPA/FILIP SINGER

“If you look at our team, and not only the team but the rest of our players which we have, we have so many in the Top 100 [Czech Republic currently has nine],” said Kvitova. “Of course the team which we have here is really tough and we have great rankings in singles and great doubles players as well.

“Also I don’t think we are like individuals but we are a really good team and we have a good spirit. Probably that’s the key.”

Captain Petr Pala has helped forge the spirit which has seen him preside over all three of Czech Republic’s titles since 2011, though even he seemed slightly surprised when told about the live-rubber win streak of 14 which stretches back to the first round tie in Spain in February 2014.

“That’s good,” said Pala. “I feel great. I hope we can have another win in November. Everybody is going to be looking forward to that. It’s going to be tough but that’s part of the challenge. I expect a great final because if you want to win, you have got to beat the best.”

France saw its four-tie streak come an end but there are positives to take from this weekend in the performance of 21-year-old Caroline Garcia, who was playing as the French No. 1 for the first time. Garcia came so close to beating Lucie Safarova, failing to take one of five match points, and she made Kvitova work very hard to get the Czechs over the line.

“I have some confidence about my two matches against Petra, the world No. 4, and Lucie who has had a great start to the year,” said Garcia, currently ranked No. 29. “It is good for me to play two matches like this in a row to get confidence for my singles career and for my year.”

France captain Amelie Mauresmo left Ostrava on Monday with further evidence to back her earlier assertions that big-hitting Garcia will be a key player for her team in years to come.

“I already saw that in the previous ties that we had to play,” said Mauresmo. “She loves the competition, she loves playing for her country. She came a little short but overall I know she is always ready to play for France.”

(Courtesy of the ITF and Original link – http://www.fedcup.com/en/news/204949.aspx )

Topics: Bnp Paribas, Czech Republic, Fed Cup, Petra Kvitova, Sports, Tennis News