Simona Halep has set up a thrilling second day in Ostrava as she levelled the tie for Romania away to the Czech Republic.
The Roland Garros champion cruised past Katerina Siniakova 6-4 6-0 to level the tie for Romania in Ostrava against defending champions Czech Republic.
This was after Karolina Pliskova gave the hosts an early advantage as her and Halep are set to meet in a crucial third rubber tomorrow.
In other World Group results France and Belarus are on the verge of the semi-finals after leading Belgium and Germany 2-0 respectively.
After edging a tight first set, Halep raced to an emphatic victory as she levelled the tie in the first round of their World Group tie in Ostrava.
There was also an impressive win for the in-form Pliskova as the duo will meet each other in the battle of the top five players.
After the match the Romanian said that she is excited to represent her country once again this week, “It’s Fed Cup, so the pressure is more but it’s an open match and I think tomorrow, I’ll fight for that chance and I’ll be motivated, playing for my country.”
Although tomorrow looks an exciting match on paper, Australian Open semi-finalist Karolina Pliskova is staying calm ahead of the blockbuster third rubber, “Of course, I’m excited – but I can’t afford to get over-excited,” Pliskova explained in her post-match interview.
“Six-two is fine – the match starts from zero-zero, so there’s going to be a chance for both of us, never mind what happened in the past. I just have it in my head that I beat her (in the Fed Cup three years ago) when we won.”
After Pliskova and Halep it will be Katerina Siniakova against Mihaela Buzarnescu with the doubles rubber potentially deciding who reaches the semi-final.
Since being promoted back to the World Group in 2010, the Czechs haven’t lost a World Group first round, so it will be a difficult task for Romania.
France and Belarus on the verge of Semi-Finals
France and Belarus are on the verge of the semi-finals though after winning both their respective singles matches after day one.
In Liege, Caroline Garcia and Alize Cornet returned to Fed Cup duty with wins over Alison Van Uytvanck and Elise Mertens. While Garcia won in three sets, Cornet stunned world number 12 Mertens in straight sets to give Julien Benneteau a good start as captain.
Caroline Garcia can seal the tie for France tomorrow with a win over Elise Mertens while the hosts need to win all three matches tomorrow.
In Braunschweig, Germany face a big task if they want a place in the last four of the Fed Cup as they trail a strong Belarusian side.
Wins for Aliaksandra Sasnovich and a ruthless Aryna Sabalenka means the world number nine can seal the visitors’ place in the last four with a win over Tatjana Maria.
