Strycova, Kenin To Open Fed Cup Final, Kvitova Battling Sickness
Muhammad Rameez Published November 09, 2018 | 10:47 PM
Barbora Strycova will launch the Czech Republic's Fed Cup victory bid on Saturday when she faces American Sofia Kenin in the opening match on Saturday.
Czech ambitions to claim an 11th title have been dampened with the loss of both Karolina Pliskova (injury) and Petra Kvitova, who is sick but hoping to recover in time for Sunday.
Strycova, the 33rd-ranked Czech number two, will hope to put the first point on the board when she faces 19-year-old Kenin, who is still in search of her maiden WTA singles title, on the hardcourt of Prague's O2 Arena at 1300 GMT on Saturday.
Katerina Siniakova, the world number 31, will then face 63rd-ranked Alison Riske in Saturday's second rubber.
Siniakova has replaced seventh-ranked Kvitova as the Czech number one after the two-time Wimbledon champion pulled out of Saturday's singles with a bad cold.
"Despite everything, we're still the favourites because our girls are great players," Czech captain Petr Pala told reporters.
"I'm very confident about the team and I really liked the way Barbora and Katerina have practised." US captain Kathy Rinaldi has decided to bench 36th-ranked Danielle Collins and go with Riske, who was on the US team that won the title last year.
"I believe in all my players up here," she said.
On Sunday, Siniakova is due to face Kenin and Strycova will then take on Riske.
Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova are then scheduled to face Danielle Collins and the Czech-born Nicole Melichar in the final doubles rubber.
The teams may change after day one and if Kvitova gets better, she is certain to appear on the court on Sunday.
"I'm feeling a bit better which is a good sign but we're going to see after tomorrow's matches," Kvitova said Friday.
"We'll see what happens on Sunday but for Saturday we're prepared, we're ready to go," said Rinaldi.
Riske, the only player on the US team with Fed Cup experience, said all the pressure was on the hosts.
"I think I definitely do like the court a lot and any time that I'm indoors... I feel pretty at home," she added.
The US, eyeing a record-extending 19th title, are missing Sloane Stephens, Serena Williams and Madison Keys.
The United States beat Belarus in Minsk in last year's final after seeing off the Czechs in the semi-final, with Siniakova making her debut as Czech number one then.
"I hope I can use this experience," said the 22-year-old Siniakova.
"I'm really excited to go to the court. Of course I expect a tough match," added Siniakova, who has a 2-1 head-to-head record with Riske while Strycova and Kenin have never met on court.
The US and the Czechs are the most successful teams in Fed Cup history, with the hosts also being second best in terms of head-to-head, winning only two of their previous 12 meetings.
Led by Kvitova and Pliskova, the Czechs have won five of the last seven editions including all three finals they have played on Prague's hardcourt.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
More Stories From Sports
-
Paris holds its breath for Olympic swimming events in murky Seine
2 hours ago -
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
12 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
12 hours ago -
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
12 hours ago -
Watford hire Cleverley as permanent boss
12 hours ago -
Karachi, Lahore, Multan win matches of National Women’s Cricket Tournament
12 hours ago
-
No communication gap among players, asserts Babar Azam
12 hours ago -
Bracewell looks ahead to Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
12 hours ago -
Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 WC 2024 ambassador
14 hours ago -
Kewell's Yokohama beat Ulsan to reach Asian Champions League final
15 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
15 hours ago -
Advisor Sports hands over Rs500,000 to prominent Martial Art Athlete Irfan Mehsud
15 hours ago