Czech Republic Wins 2016 Fed Cup; 3rd Straight Title, 5th Title in 6 Years

Lucie Hradecka, Petra Kvitova, Petr Pala, Barbora Strycova and Karolina Pliskova (click to enlarge)

Just a quick congratulations to the 2016 Fed Cup Champion Czech Republic. Continuing a historically great run of play, the Czech team captures its 3rd straight Fed Cup title by defeating France 3-2, becoming the first team since Spain (1993-1995) to accomplish that feat. This also marks their 5th title in 6 years and 10th title overall. 2-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been a member of all 5 recent wins. She now has the most titles in the history of the Czech Republic and is tied for 4th overall with Spaniards Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario. They trail only Americans Chris Evert (8), Billie Jean King (7) and Rosie Casals (6). I have a soft spot for Petra. She is on my current Mount Rushmore of favorite players along with Madison Keys, Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova. I always wish Kvitova every good…so long as she isn’t playing Maddie! That said, the heroics in this final came from Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova. Pliskova won an epic 16-14 third set for the ages on day 1 over France’s Kristina Mladenovic. After Caroline Garcia of France defeated Kvitova and Pliskova in singles, Barbora Strycova saved the day for the Czech Republic by first beating Alize Cornet and then teaming with Pliskova to take down the ace doubles team of Mladenovic and Garcia to clinch the title at 3 rubbers to 2 from down 2-1 in rubbers.

RESULTS

DAY ONE

KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA), 3-6 6-4 16-14

CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA) d. Petra Kvitova, 7-6 (6) 6-3

DAY TWO

CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA) d. Karolina Pliskova (CZE), 6-3 3-6 6-3

BARBORA STRYCOVA (CZE) d. Alize Cornet (FRA), 6-2 7-6 (4)

PLISKOVA/STRYCOVA (CZE) d. Garcia/Mladenovic, 7-5 7-5