Russia out, Swiss set up Czech Fed Cup SF

Defending champions the Czech Republic have set up a Fed Cup semi-final against Switzerland after battling past Romania 3-2.

The doubles were also decisive for the Swiss, who triumphed over Germany 3-2 on Sunday despite the hosts fielding new Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the singles.

The Czechs won through in the World Group first-round tie thanks to Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova defeating Andreea Mitu and Raluca Olaru 6-2 6-3.

Home team Romania had taken the lead on the day when Simona Halep got the better of Petra Kvitova 6-4 3-6 6-3 but the Czechs pulled level at 2-2 after Pliskova beat Monica Niculescu 6-4 4-6 6-3 in Cluj.

In Leipzig, Kerber was defeated 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 by 18-year-old Belinda Belic as the Swiss went 2-1 up but Annika Beck defeated Timea Bacsinszky 7-5 6-4 to take the tie to the deciding doubles rubber.

Martina Hingis and Bencic then wrapped up Switzerland’s progression in the women’s version of the Davis Cup with a 6-3 6-2 win over Andrea Petkovic and Anna-Lena Groenefeld.

Bencic had defeated Petkovic 6-3, 6-4 and Kerber overcame Bacsinszky 6-1, 6-3 on Saturday.

“At a certain point my batteries were gone,” Kerber, who has had a whirlwind few days after triumphing in Melbourne last Saturday and flying home, said.

“You just reach your physical limit.”

The Netherlands booked a last-four place with a surprise victory over last year’s finalists Russia in Moscow.

The Dutch took an unassailable 3-0 lead when Kiki Bertens beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-4 in the first reverse singles match.

Ekaterina Makarova and Darya Kasatkina defeated Dutch duo Cindy Burger and Arantxa Rus 6-0 6-2 to make it 3-1 with the second reverse singles cancelled.

The Dutch will next play France in April after the hosts clinched a semi-final place when they beat Italy 4-1 in Marseille.