By Erik Gudris | Sunday. November 9, 2014

 

Petra Kvitova rallied in the third set against Germany's Angelique Kerber to clinch the Fed Cup title for the Czech Republic in Prague.

Photo Credit: AP

When it mattered most, Petra Kvitova once again became a national hero by clinching the Fed Cup title for the Czech Republic.

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Despite the Czechs holding a 2-0 lead over Germany entering Sunday's reverse singles rubbers, nothing was certain. That was due to the resilient efforts of Angelique Kerber who aimed to extend her team's life in the final tie.

Both players engaged in multiple relentless rallies with each woman trying to send the other further off the court. While an amped up Prague crowd cheered Kvitova on, the Germans had a solid group of fans making their voices heard.

Kerber pounced early and looked certain to close out the opening set. Yet, Kvitova with her brand of powerful shotmaking would deny Kerber time and time again. That included stopping Kerber on three occasions when the German tried to serve out the set.

Soon, a tiebreak was needed. Kvitova jumped out to an early lead only to watch as Kerber clawed back to make it even at 4-all. But Kvitova would gain the advantage and claimed the breaker 7-6(5) with an inside out forehand winner.

A dejected Kerber started the second set unable to win points in the early games. Kvitova jumped out to a 2-0 and then with a sizzling down the line forehand winner broke the German again for 3-0. An early finish to the final looked inevitable.

Kerber snapped out of her malaise and soon found her rhythm again. She broke Kvitova and, then with her own lefty forehand winner, would level the set at 3-all. Despite Kvitova losing her lead, she managed to fend off more break points against her for 4-all.

While the super fast court suited Kvitova's game, it was perhaps a tad too quick for Kvitova late in the set. Kvitova got stretched out wide and slipped, appearing to jar her feet. Kerber capitalized later by winning the set thanks to a Kvitova error.

With momentum now on Kerber's side, the German kept up the pressure. Kvitova fought off multiple break points early in the final set. But Kerber countered by chasing down a Kvitova drop shot for a winner. That gave the German a 2-0 lead that she then added to after her own service game for 3-0.

Kvitova, looking unsure of her movement, fell behind 1-4 despite the home crowd trying to urge her on. Was Kerber on the verge of pulling off the upset and keeping her team alive?

As with any Kvitova match, another shift in momentum felt bound to happen, and so it did. Kvitova, after holding serve, found her range and started to make inroads in the longer rallies. The Czech smacked an easy backhand winner giving her break. A deep return caused a Kerber error and with that Kvitova was back on serve 3-4.

A fired up Kvitova, now fully engaged and back on track, got to 4-all and was now eager to close things out. Kvitova struck a hooking crosscourt forehand winner on break point to pull her ahead for 5-4.

Serving for the match and the title, Kvitova appeared to feel the moment even when she held two match points She would double fault on the first and netted an easy forehand on the second. Kerber fought off a third match point, but Kvitova's big forehand soon created a fourth chance to seal the win.

Kerber netted a backhand in the last rally. With that, Kvitova finally could celebrate with her team the 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 victory.

Kvitova raced over to her excited teammates and soon join them in the traditional circle dance of triumph as the home crowd roared. The Germans formed their own circle of support for Kerber who tried her hardest, but just couldn't come up with the win.

The final singles rubber was scrubbed while the Germans won the dead doubles rubber. That left the final tie score in favor of the Czechs 3-1.

This is now the third Fed Cup title in four years for the Czech team and the eighth overall.