Czech Republic wins another Fed Cup

The Czech Republic won their sixth Fed Cup title in eight years after beating the United States 3-0 in Prague, with two critical wins from world doubles No.1 Katerina Siniakova.

Siniakova saved two match points in the third set before defeating Sofia Kenin 7-5 5-7 7-5 in three hours and 44 minutes to give the Czechs an insurmountable 3-0 lead over the defending champions in the best-of-five rubber final.

It was the first victory for the Czech team over the US – since the country was created after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993 – after four defeats in the Fed Cup.

The Czechoslovakia team that won five Fed Cup titles was 2-6 against the U.S.

CZECH REPUBLIC WINS!!!@K_Siniakova clinches an UNBELIEVABLE match 75 57 75 in 3 hours 44 minutes!#FedCup title No. 1??1?? for Czech Republic pic.twitter.com/jQfY129pIT

— Fed Cup (@FedCup) November 11, 2018

“It was an unbelievable match for me,” Siniakova said. “It was up and down, with nerves. I’m extremely happy that I won.”

In a hard-fought match at the O2 Arena, the 22-year-old Czech saved two match points when Kenin was serving at 5-4, and went on to convert her own second match point on the indoor hardcourt in front of 14,500 fans.

Siniakova wasted a 3-0 lead in the final set and the 19-year-old Kenin, who was playing her second match in her debut Fed Cup tie, fought back.

Kenin, who wasted three break points at 5-5, hit 43 winners but also made 76 unforced errors while Siniakova hit 24 winners.

“It was horrible, the worst (moment),” Siniakova said about the match points she faced in the 10th game.

“But it’s not the end until the final match point is converted.”

???????? @K_Siniakova on the AMAZING atmosphere at the O2 Arena…#FedCupFinal pic.twitter.com/DmuD57uvjj

— Fed Cup (@FedCup) November 11, 2018

At 3-0 down in the third set, Kenin needed treatment for what seemed to be a thigh muscle problem. The treatment was then repeated several times.

Trailing 3-1, the American wasted five break points in a game that took 19 minutes. But Siniakova hit a forehand winner to break Kenin for the fourth time in the 12th game to take the set.

On Saturday, Barbora Strycova had rallied for a 6-7(5) 6-1 6-4 victory over Kenin to put the Czechs 1-0 ahead and Siniakova doubled the advantage with a 6-3 7-6(2) win over Alison Riske.