World doubles No.1 Katerina Siniakova and veteran Barbora Strycova powered the Czech Republic to the verge of victory in the Fed Cup final against defending champions the United States.
Their opening day victories in Prague ensured the Czech team will take a 2-0 lead into Sundayas they seek a sixth Fed Cup triumph since 2011 against the only the country to have won more titles.
The two most successful teams in the tournament’s history were facing off without their top players.
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Americans Serena and Venus Williams, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens were all unavailable while, for the Czechs, world No.8 Karolina Pliskova pulled out with injury and Petra Kvitova was sidelined on the first day with illness.
That left the responsibility to Siniakova, who defeated Alison Riske 6-3 7-6(2) and veteran Barbora Strycova, who beat Fed Cup debutant Sofia Kenin 6-7(7) 6-1 6-4 in the opening rubber.
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Wins for @BaraStrycova and @K_Siniakova made it a perfect opening day in Prague for Czech Republic! #FedCupFinal pic.twitter.com/2MjOrAH1tL— Fed Cup (@FedCup) November 10, 2018
“I was trying… when I had a chance to be aggressive,” said Siniakova, who won the French Open and Wimbledon doubles titles this season with her Czech teammate Barbora Krejcikova.
It was the ideal start for the Czechs, winners of five of the past seven Fed Cup titles and unbeaten in 10 home ties since 2009.
They remain heavy favourites, even without their leading duo, against a US team featuring three debutants, including Kenin.
The veteran Strycova, playing in her final tie for the Czechs after a 16-year Fed Cup career, gave up the first set to the 19-year-old Kenin, who fought through early nerves in her first taste of Fed Cup action.
But the 32-year-old Strycova called on all her experience to prevail.
“It is funny because it is her first (Fed Cup tie) and it is my last one,” Strycova said.
“For me, it was a lot of emotions. I fought for every ball, and I’m so happy I could win today in front of this crowd. It means a lot to me.”
US captain Kathy Rinaldi said it was a day of missed opportunities.
“Anything can happen in Fed Cup and tomorrow is another day,” she said.
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