Both Czech Republic and France had to overcome some spirited resistance at the Fed Cup World Group semi-finals this weekend before they could set up a final clash that will be held in France in November. While the Czechs, who were also the defending champions, edged past Switzerland 3-2, France survived the determined Netherlands by the same scoreline in the other last-four clash.
The Swiss were without their No. 1 player Belinda Bencic, who was ruled out of their home tie at Lucerne due to a back injury. But an inspired World No. 129 Viktorija Golubic rose to the occasion in her Fed Cup debut to defeat both the Czech players Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova in three-set battles to send the contest into a deciding doubles rubber.
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She teamed up with the World No. 1 Martina Hingis to face the Czech pair of Pliskova and Lucie Hradecka, who did not falter this time. The Czechs emerged a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 winner to get an opportunity to win the prestigious competition for the fifth time in six years.
First final for France since 2005
In the other semi-final held in Trelaze, France, the hosts had an even tougher battle as they prevailed over surprise semi-finalists Netherlands. World No. 96 Kiki Bertens was successful against both Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia in her two singles matches.
That put the visitors 2-1 up and in touching distance of the final. However, their hopes were dashed by a determined effort from the French team.
After losing her singles contest on Saturday, France’s Caroline Garcia made up for it by winning the fourth rubber on Sunday, 6-3, 6-4 over the 257th ranked Arantxa Rus.
The deciding doubles match too turned out to be quite competitive as the Netherlands combine of Bertens and Richel Hogenkamp took the first set 6-4. That is where the Charleston doubles champions Mladenovic and Garcia came alive and showed their prowess to carve out the 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.
This will be France’s first final since losing the 2005 summit showdown to Russia 2-3.
