ITF

10 ITFWORLD SPRING 2016 Aga FED CUP BY BNP PARIBAS The indomitable Czechs are through to another Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final where they will face France, through to the deciding round for the first time in 11 years. Stuart Fraser reports on two semifinals that took a fifth rubber to decide, and on the ups and downs of the World Group and World Group II play-offs. I t is a mark of the strength in depth that Czech Republic possesses that, even without its two Fed Cup by BNP Paribas stalwarts — Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova — for this year's semifinals, a fifth final in six years still beckons in France in November. During their domination of the competition in recent years, the Czechs forged a tremendous team spirit, a crucial part of their winning formula which sees them bid this year for a landmark tenth Fed Cup title. You have to go back to April 2013 for their last defeat, although this time around they had to work hard to maintain their eight-tie unbeaten record against Switzerland in Lucerne. Like the visitors, Switzerland had to cope without its top player, world No. 10 Belinda Bencic, due to a back injury. Not that it would stop the 19-year-old taking her place on the courtside bench at the Messe Luzern to support her teammates, bidding to book a place in a first final since 1998. The tie did not get off to the ideal start for the hosts. In 65 minutes, Timea Bacsinszky had won just two games in a 60 62 defeat by Barbora Strycova, the Swiss overcome by tension and nerves in front of her home crowd. There was also not much for them to cheer about initially in the following rubber with Fed Cup singles debutant Viktorija Golubic, ranked No. 129, a set and 4-2 down to Karolina Pliskova. However, a stunning cross-court backhand pass by Golubic to recover the break in the second set was to be the moment which turned the match. The 23-year-old was inspired and her one-handed backhand was a joy to watch. How fitting it was that a backhand winner down the line clinched a 36 64 64 win to level the tie. Bacsinszky was much improved against Pliskova on day two but still she succumbed to a 64 62 defeat. With Strycova a set up against Golubic, it looked as if the tie was slipping away from the Peak i n i n g The Czech visitors in Lucerne

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