Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Czech Republic win Federation Cup after beating France 3-2

Czech Republic
Czech Republic's Barbara Strycova (R) and team-mate Karolina Pliskova celebrate

The Czech Republic won their fifth Federation Cup title in six years after fighting back to beat France 3-2.

Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova beat Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia 7-5 7-5 in the deciding doubles rubber.

Against the pair who won this year's French Open, Strycova and Pliskova returned well and made the most of Mladenovic's below-par performance to hand the Czech Republic victory.

"It's a wonderful day. It was not easy that's why we are so happy," said Pliskova.

"The secret was to go out there and fight for every point. We fought until the end," added Strycova.

Pliskova had put the visitors ahead on Saturday with an epic 6-3 4-6 16-14 win against Mladenovic after a nail-biting third set, the longest ever played in a Fed Cup final.

Garcia put the two teams level with an aggressive display, beating Petra Kvitova, the world No 11, 7-6 (8-6) 6-3, suggesting an upset was possible.

After a minute of applause in memory of the 130 who were killed in the Paris attacks one year ago, Garcia followed up with a 6-3 3-6 6-3 win against Pliskova.

Both captains kept their cards close to their chest with a possible doubles decider looming, and instead of the scheduled Mladenovic v Kvitova reverse singles, Alize Cornet and Strycova were sent to the Rhenus Sport arena's hardcourt.

The Frenchwoman was no match for the world No 20 and despite opening a 4-1 lead in the second set, she lost 6-2 7-6 (7-4) before the doubles went the Czech Republic's way.

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