PRAGUE
The Czech Republic gained their eighth Fed Cup crown, the third within the last four years, beating Team Germany 3-1 in Prague.
Angelique Kerber, who experienced a disappointing day on Saturday losing in straight sets to Lucie Safarova, who hasn’t lost a Fed Cup home rubber since 2010 faced Petra Kvitova on Sunday’s blockbuster encounter. In front of 13.000 spectators in the sold-out O2 Arena, the world number four had the better ending in a nail-biting encounter winning 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 to end any hope of a German comeback from 0-2 down. It was a match with numerous thrilling exchanges on both sides. Kerber had five set points in the opening frame but could only close the second set out coming back from two breaks down. The German flew out of the blocks for a 3-0 lead in the final set, but the pressure on the player in front continued and Kvitova found her way back to 4-4 before securing a crucial break in the ninth game. The Czech number one sealed victory after two hours and 57 minutes.
Czechs celebrate the Fed Cup title
“It was an extraordinary match,” said Czech Republic captain Petr Pala. “I am very proud of Petra. She showed how good she is, a true champion. But many respect for Angelique.”
“It is an emotion I have never had this year,” said Kvitova. “Wimbledon was totally different. I didn’t have this emotion, I was playing so well during Wimbledon but here it was really up and down. That’s why it is great to play the Fed Cup Final. It’s for your country but always when you are not feeling great and you don’t have enough energy, you always find something and I’m not sure where I found it. I’m just glad that I found it,” the Czech felt relieved afterwards.
“I am pretty happy the way it went today because obviously we didn’t really show our real face yesterday,” said Germany’s team captain Barbara Rittner. “Angie played an unbelievable match. I think the atmosphere was great, everybody loved that match back in Germany and everybody realised that tennis is still alive.”
The Germans eventually were successful in the dead doubles rubber when Julia Görges and Sabine Lisicki defeated Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka winning 6-4, 6-3.
