Safarova draws first blood for Czechs in Fed Cup final
Source: Agencies |
November 4, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LUCIE Safarova got defending champion Czech Republic off to a flying start in the Fed Cup final with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in Prague yesterday.
Safarova converted her first match point with a forehand winner to seal the victory in one hour and 41 minutes.
"After I lost both matches in the final last year, I desperately wanted to win," said Safarova who improved to 4-2 against Ivanovic.
"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."
The 17th-ranked Safarova pressured Ivanovic's backhand and broke her twice in the first set on an indoor hardcourt at the O2 Arena.
The 12th-ranked Ivanovic, who is a former No. 1, struggled with her serve and double-faulted at the start of the second set and then wasted two break-point chances to go 0-2 down.
Ivanovic produced eight double faults and 32 unforced errors in the match.
Eighth-ranked Petra Kvitova, who led the Czechs to a 3-2 victory over favorite Russia in the final last year, was playing Jelena Jankovic - another former No. 1 - in the second singles match in an encounter between players who have been unbeaten in the Fed Cup for two years. Kvitova is a former Wimbledon champion.
Safarova converted her first match point with a forehand winner to seal the victory in one hour and 41 minutes.
"After I lost both matches in the final last year, I desperately wanted to win," said Safarova who improved to 4-2 against Ivanovic.
"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."
The 17th-ranked Safarova pressured Ivanovic's backhand and broke her twice in the first set on an indoor hardcourt at the O2 Arena.
The 12th-ranked Ivanovic, who is a former No. 1, struggled with her serve and double-faulted at the start of the second set and then wasted two break-point chances to go 0-2 down.
Ivanovic produced eight double faults and 32 unforced errors in the match.
Eighth-ranked Petra Kvitova, who led the Czechs to a 3-2 victory over favorite Russia in the final last year, was playing Jelena Jankovic - another former No. 1 - in the second singles match in an encounter between players who have been unbeaten in the Fed Cup for two years. Kvitova is a former Wimbledon champion.
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