Timea Bacsinszky will launch Switzerland's quest for a Fed Cup final return against Barbora Strycova and defending champion Czech Republic.
The draws for the Fed Cup World Group semifinals were conducted today.
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In the absence of Swiss No. 1 Belinda Bencic, who is sidelined with a back injury, Bacsinszky will carry Swiss hopes on her shoulders on the hard court of Lucerne. She's scheduled to play two singles matches and partner Hall of Famer Martina Hingis in doubles.
The 33rd-ranked Strycova is 3-0 lifetime vs. Bacsinszky, including a 7-5, 6-0 rout in the 2015 US Open first round.
World No. 18 Karolina Pliskova and Strycova, who have clinched the Czech Republic's last two Fed Cup ties with doubles victories, will lead the defending champion, which is contesting its eighth straight semifinal. Pliskova, whose lone career loss came in the 2015 final to Maria Sharapova, meets Viktorija Golubic in Saturday's second singles match.
The Swiss squad is making its first final four appearance since 1998 when a then teenage Hingis accounted for three points in Switzerland's 4-1 win over the Czech Republic.
Host France is a heavy favorite against the Netherlands, which scored one of the biggest upsets in recent years, knocking off Russia in Moscow in the quarterfinals.
Caroline Garcia leads off for captain Amelie Mauresmo's team against Dutch No. 1 Kiki Bertens.
France is playing for its first trip to the final in 11 years. Kristina Mladenovic plays Richel Hogenkamp in Saturday's second singles match on the red clay of Trélazé, France.
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