Strasbourg (France): Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova clinched the Czech Republic’s fifth Fed Cup title in six years here Sunday after beating France in the deciding doubles rubber.
With the tie level at 2-2, US Open finalist Pliskova teamed up with Strycova to defeat French Open doubles champions Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic 7-5, 7-5 to prolong the Czechs’ reign.
It was the Czech Republic’s third triumph in succession and 10th overall, with only the United States boasting more titles with 17.
“Unbelievable. We don’t have words yet, we are going to celebrate. The feeling is something so special, even if it’s our fifth title. It’s really unbelievable,” said Strycova, a member of the title-winning teams in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
“It’s one of the best trophies I am going to win. I am going to place it next to the one from last year,” added Pliskova.
Earlier after France had grabbed a 2-1 lead, it was Strycova, drafted in to replace injured two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova by Czech captain Petr Pala, kept their hopes alive by overcoming Alize Cornet 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) to force a fifth and final rubber.
In both the sets it was the Mladenovic serve that got broken as the Czechs won in straight sets. She lost her serve once in the first set and twice in the second.
In the first set, Mladenovic lost her serve when the score read 5-6. In the second, she again dropped her serve in the 11th game and the Czechs were home and dry.
Agence France-Presse