Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova gained the decisive doubles rubber in opposition to the US to seal Friday’s tie and declare the final place within the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals.
Krejcikova and Siniakova beat Danielle Collins and Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5 to safe high spot in Group A and arrange a showdown with Canada in Seville on Saturday for a spot within the ultimate.
“I used to be very pleased once we sealed the profitable level immediately. It was a extremely good match and I used to be actually excited and pleased that we completed it and with the way in which we performed,” mentioned Siniakova.
“It is powerful to be unbeatable as a result of it is not possible, however I am happy with how we play and the way lengthy we’re enjoying, as a result of it is not simple,” mentioned Siniakova of her partnership with Krejcikova.
The pair have mixed to win seven Grand Slam doubles titles and Olympic gold in Tokyo.
“Everybody needs to beat us, and they’re coming and looking for issues,” added Siniakova.
Collins gave the USA — the report 18-time winners — the perfect begin with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Siniakova, however Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova thrashed Sofia Kenin 6-1, 6-1 within the second singles.
“The US had been there, simply ready for the profitable second. It obtained to the wire and it may have gone both approach, however now we have a world-class doubles group,” mentioned Czech captain Petr Pala.
The Czechs are bidding for a twelfth title and first since 2018, the final in a run of six in eight years.
Their rivals Canada are showing within the semi-finals for the primary time since 1988.
– Slovenia transfer on –
Earlier on Friday, Kaja Juvan helped Slovenia seal their berth within the final 4 with a straight-sets demolition of Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina.
Juvan, ranked 104 on this planet, crushed 814th-ranked Danilina 6-1, 6-0 in 53 minutes.
Teammate Tamara Zidansek gained the primary set of the second rubber in opposition to Yulia Putintseva to make sure Slovenia completed high of Group B and be part of Italy and Canada within the semi-finals of the ladies’s group occasion.
Zidansek bagged the primary set 6-2 however misplaced the second by the identical rating earlier than she pulled out, secure within the information it was sufficient for Slovenia to progress.
Kazakhstan gained the doubles and the tie 2-1, however it is going to be the Slovenians who meet Italy on Saturday. The Italians certified on Thursday by ending first in Group D.
France beat Germany 3-0 in a useless rubber on Friday to take second within the part, whereas Spain edged Poland 2-1 to complete behind Group C winners Canada.
Clara Burel put France heading in the right direction by beating Jule Niemeier 6-4, 6-3.
Then newcomer Varvara Gracheva gained the second singles rubber after German rival Tatjana Maria retired whereas main 3-0.
Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic defeated Niemeier and Laura Siegemund within the doubles.
Poland misplaced each their ties with out Iga Swiatek, who gained the WTA Finals firstly of the week to cement her return to world primary.
Rebeka Masarova beat Katarzyna Kawa in three units earlier than Sara Sorribes Tormo defeated Magda Linette. Poland then gained the concluding doubles.
The 2022 version was gained by Switzerland, who beat Australia, however each nations had been eradicated within the group stage this yr.
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