Fed Cup: Petra Kvitova missing Czech Republic in final against USA

Without his top player Petra Kvitova, the Czech Republic will play the first two singles against the USA at the Fed Cup final in Prague on Saturday.

The seventh in the world rankings initially signed off due to the aftereffects of a cold. The 28-year-old left it open whether it would be enough for a mission on Sunday. Kvitova had led the Czech team to five titles in the past seven years. Also Karolina Pliskova, number eight in the WTA ranking, had to cancel the final due to a calf injury.

Barbora Strycova and Sofia Kenin will play the first singles on Saturday from 14.00 hrs, followed by Katerina Siniakova and Alison Riske.

For the possibly decisive double, the two team bosses Petr Pala and Kathy Rinaldi-Stunkel nominated the pairings Barbora Krejcikova/Siniakova and Danielle Collins/Nicole Melichar.

While the Czech Republic, which has won the Fed Cup five times in the past seven years, can use its best players except for Kvitova and Pliskova, the USA will play with a B team.

The Williams sisters Serena and Venus cancelled as early as French Open finalist Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys. The number one on the US team is Danielle Collins, number 36 in the world.