ITF

ITFWORLD WINTER 2015 21 www.itftennis.com doubles rubbers together, including securing their place in the final after Germany, the 2014 runners-up, had fought back from 0-2 down to force a fifth-rubber decider in the semifinals. It was the Russian pair who started more strongly in Prague, claiming the first set 64. Their form dipped however and the Czech pair, roared on by an enthusiastic crowd, returned well and produced some excellent play at the net to seal the victory 46 63 62. "This end is unbelievable, I wasn't counting on that, I wasn't even counting that I was going to play here," said Pliskova. It was a ninth title for the Czech Republic, to consolidate second place on the Fed Cup honour roll behind USA. It was also a fourth crown for Kvitova and Safarova, who equalled Helena Sukova's record for most Fed Cup titles won by a Czech player. It wasn't to be for the Russians, who came within a set of securing their first Fed Cup trophy since 2008. Captain Anastasia Myskina's bid to become the fourth person to win Fed Cup as both a player and captain may have fallen short but there was no criticism of her players. "I'm proud of my girls," said Myskina. "They did a good job, they tried and they fought and they did their best." Czech captain Petr Pala improved his impressive record as captain to 17-3 and also took home the Fed Cup Award of Excellence. With great leadership, myriad players in the Top 50 and oodles of experience you would expect Czech Republic to feature in many more finals — and lift several more trophies — in the years to come. Local fans in the O2 Arena Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova congratulate their doubles team It was quite a Fed Cup Final debut for Karolina Pliskova Maria Sharapova won both her singles matches

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