Fed Cup: Romania shuts down defending champion Czech Republic

Defending champion Czech Republic has been eliminated in the Fed Cup in round one. Without their top player Petra Kvitova the Czech women lost their home game in Ostrava against Romania in the weekend 2: 3.

The decisive double against Barbora Krejcikova / Katerina Siniakova went to Irina-Camelia Begu / Monica Niculescu after 2:53 hours.

In the top match of the entire Fed Cup weekend Simona Halep brought the Romanians with a 6: 4, 5: 7 and 6: 4 against Karolina Pliskova first with 2: 1 lead. For 2:37 hours, the two exceptional players faced each other in Ostrau, then Halep was free to concentrate on the match between Mihaela Buzarnescu and Katerina Siniakova.

Opponents in the semifinals on 20./21. April is France, 3-1 winner in Belgium.