Czech Republic takes a 2-0 lead over Italy – Federation Cup WG Semi-final 2012
Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic gave her country a 2-0 lead over Italy in the semi-final of the Federation Cup, World Group.
She defeated Italy’s Sara Errani in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 in the second singles at the hard courts of CEZ Arena in Ostrava, Czech Republic on Saturday.
Errani was first to take lead, as she claimed a breakthrough in the third game of the first set to move ahead 2-1 but Kvitova hit back immediately to equalise the score at 2-2. The Czech struck again in the 10th game
and sealed it 6-4.
In a similar fashion to the first set, Errani drew the first blood in the second, as she broke Kvitova in the opening game and held her following serve to grab a 2-0 lead. However, the Czech struck back once again, levelling the
score at 3-3. Kvitova did not stop there and won three more games in a row to close it 6-3.
The Czech said, reviewing the match during the press conference, "I served for the set at 5-4 so I really didn't want to lose that set. I'm happy I turned it. It was a tough match against a great player, but I was very consistent
and didn't do many mistakes. I think that put pressure on her."
Czech, Lucie Safarova, defeated Francesca Schiavone in straight sets 7-6(3), 6-1 earlier in the day to give Czech Republic a 1-0 lead.
Safarova struck in the very first game of the match and consolidated on it to go ahead 2-0. The Czech could not serve it out and took the score to 5-5. Both players held to level the score at 6-6, forcing a tie-breaker. Safarova
hit some blistering forehand winners and raced to a 4-0 lead. She capitalised on the initial advantage and sealed it 7-6(3).
The Czech humiliated her opponent in the second set, as she allowed the former French Open champion to win only one game, making double breakthrough and capturing it 6-1.
Safarova said, "Sara played very well in Barcelona last week, so I'm very happy I was able to win today. I'm happy how I played - I still have space to improve, but it doesn't matter, winning was the important thing today, winning
our second point of the tie. And the crowd here in Ostrava was just unbelievable."
Kvitova will play Schiavone in the first reverse single and if the tie does not get decided then Safarova will take on Errani in the second.
Tags: