• Fed Cup final

Kvitova gives Czechs 2-0 lead against Serbia

ESPN staff
November 3, 2012
Petra Kvitova brushed off fears over her fitness © PA Photos
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Petra Kvitova breezed past Serbia's Jelena Jankovic as Czech Republic moved a step closer to the defence of their Fed Cup title in Prague.

The world No. 8 had been a major doubt for the final after pulling out of last week's WTA Championships with a virus, but showed no signs of illness as she cruised to a 6-4 6-1 victory to give the hosts a 2-0 lead at the O2 Arena.

Kvitova, who led the Czechs to a 3-2 victory over Russia in last year's final, secured her 11th consecutive victory in Fed Cup singles matches, at the same time condemning Jankovic to her first Fed Cup defeat in two years.

After dropping serve in the fifth game, Kvitova roared back with two breaks of serve to take the opening set before streaking to a 5-0 lead in the second. Jankovic hung on to avoid the bagel, but Kvitova sealed the victory on her second match point when Jankovic's backhand sailed long.

That came after Lucie Safarova handed a surprise defeat to Ana Ivanovic, making the most of the home support to claim a 6-4 6-3 victory.

"After I lost both matches in the final last year, I desperately wanted to win," Safarova said. "We were both nervous at the start but I got rid of it. I was improving throughout the match. It was very important to win."

Czech Republic are just one match away from victory with the doubles and reverse singles rubbers to come on Sunday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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