Czech Republic Downs France To Win Fed Cup Title
The Czech Republic won its fifth Fed Cup title in the last six years over the weekend, as Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova won the deciding fifth rubber match, downing France’s Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic 7-5, 7-5 to clinch the 3-2 overall victory for the Czechs.
“Of course I am very proud. It was the most unbelievable weekend of tennis,” said Czech Captain Petr Pala. “We were just a bit more lucky, but the French put up a stunning performance because we were the favorites on paper. I don’t think we were the favorites for doubles, but you never know what you’re going to get in the team competition. There were ups and downs but I tried not to show it. The girls were really close at 4-4 in the second set but they turned it around unbelievably and hit some great shots in the end.”
Pliskova opened up the weekend action with a 6-3, 4-6, 16-14 win over Mladenovic in the first singles match, giving the Czechs the early advantage. But Garcia stepped up for the French, winning the second and third singles rubbers, over Kvitova and Pliskova, respectively, to bring the French within one victory of the title.
But Strycova answered with a 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Alize Cornet to even up the tie at two-all, and then she teamed up with Pliskova to win the deciding doubles match, sealing the Czech win for the second straight year.
“[It’s] unbelievable. We don’t have words yet, we are going to celebrate,” said Strycova. “The feeling is something so special, even if it’s our fifth title. It’s really unbelievable. It was a huge day, but we made all three points which is something really special. Today was tough but in the end it’s a fairytale.”
