Czech cruise through to reach semis

Defending champions the Czech Republic are into the Fed Cup semi-finals after Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova led her team to a 4-1 victory over hosts Germany yesterday.

Kvitova’s 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 win against Germany captain Sabine Lisicki in the first match of the day put the Czechs into an unbeatable lead.

After Iveta Benesova’s win over Lisicki and Kvitova’s victory against Germany’s Julia Goerges on Saturday, the Germans were just left playing for pride as Angelique Kerber managed the host’s sole victory.

She saw off Lucie Hradecka in straight sets for a 6-4, 6-4 win, but the Czechs finished as they had started with victory in the doubles.

Benesova teamed up with Barbara Zahlavovoa Strycova and they enjoyed a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win over Goerges and Anna-Lena Groenefeld

“I had trouble with my returns in the beginning, but I knew what I had to do and things improved in the second set,” said Kvitova after her win over Lisicki.

“I am happy and I knew how I could manage to return her serve, she played very well, it was a different game from when she played against Iveta.

“I am really happy we got the three points early on.”

The Czech Republic’s victory means they will face Italy in April’s semi-finals, while Germany face a relegation match on April 21-22 to stay in World Group I against the top team from World Group II.

Germany were without their injured number one Andrea Petkovic, who reached the last eight of the French, US and Australia Opens in 2011, but the hosts failed to cope with a strong Czech line-up led by Kvitova.

Other matches: Italy vs Ukraine 3-2; Belgium vs Serbia 2-3; Russia vs Spain 3-2.