The Czech Republic will enter their Fed Cup semi-final clash against Switzerland without two of their highest ranked players on the women’s tour.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and French Open runner-up Lucie Safarova has had their names removed from the upcoming nominations following talks with their team captain, Petr Pala.
The roller coaster start to the year by both players have contributed towards the decision. Kvitova started 2016 with just two wins in her first four tournaments. Following her second round loss at the Australian Open, she parted ways with her long-term coach David Kotyza. Kvitova’s form has recently received a boost during her time in America after reaching the quarterfinals in Indian Wells followed by a third round exit at the Miami Open.
Safarova is another player who has endured a tough start to the year. The world No.15 was unable to kick-off her season, until the Doha Open in February after being hampered will illness. The 29-year-old was troubled by a bacterial infection and the complications from it.
The news of the two player’s absence from the upcoming tie was confirmed by Pala, who spoke with Czech news agency CTK News.
“I visited the players in Miami and I agreed with Petra and Lucie that I would not count on them for the match against Switzerland,” said Pala.
“At the same time, they have confirmed that they would be ready to play the final in case of qualification,” he added.
The Czech Republic will face Switzerland in Lucerne between April 16th-17th. The defending champions are seeking to win the title for the third year in a row and become the first country to achieve the triple run since Spain back in 1995.
The formal nominations for the Czech Republic’s upcoming tie against Switzerland will occur on Wednesday. Besides Kvitova and Safarova, the country has four other women currently ranked in the top 100.
Czech women currently list inside the top 100
7 Kvitova, Petra
14 Pliskova, Karolina
15 Safarova, Lucie
32 Strycova, Barbora
55 Allertova, Denisa
85 Hradecka, Lucie
