World doubles number one Katerina Siniakova helped the Czech Republic to sweep the opening-day matches in the Fed Cup final against defending champions the US in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Saturday. She overpowered Alison Riske 6-3, 7-6(2).
The Czech team, facing a US squad without their top players but fielding three debutantes instead, have taken a 2-0 lead into Sunday as they seek a sixth Fed Cup title since 2011.
Siniakova cruised in the first set but fell behind in the second before pulling level. She and Riske battled back and forth then and the American pushed the set to a tiebreak, where Siniakova took control.
Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic celebrates during her match against Alison Riske (not pictured) of the US during the Fed Cup final in Prague, the Czech Republic, November 10, 2018. /VCG Photo
Barbora Strycova put the Czechs 1-0 up with a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4 win over Fed Cup newcomer Sofia Kenin in the opening rubber.
The 2018 Fed Cup is the 56th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis. The finals between the Czech Republic and the US are held between November 10 and 11 in Prague.
The Czech Republic won their first Fed Cup title against Russia in 2011. They continued their victories against Serbia in 2012, Germany in 2014, Russia again in 2015, and France in 2016. They suffered a 2-3 defeat to the US during the semi-final last year.