By Erik Gudris | Saturday, Aprl 19, 2014

 

Led by Petra Kvitova, the Czech Republic took an early lead over Fed Cup defending champion Italy. Germany also took control over Australia in their semifinal.

Photo Credit: AP

The Czech Republic and Germany each took hold of early leads in their respective Fed Cup World Group semifinal ties. That forces both Italy and Australia to pull off come from behind wins when the reverse singles are played on Sunday.

Taking on defending champions Italy, Lucie Safarova started things off against Sara Errani in the first singles rubber held in in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The power lefty serve of Safarova proved too much for Errani throughout the match.

In just 71 minutes, Safarova ran away with the convincing 6-4, 6-1 win.

Next up, Petra Kvitova took on rising Italian talent Camila Giorgi. Though a streaky, hard-hitting contest was expected, Kvitova showed her experience throughout the second singles rubber. Taking hold of an early break lead, Kvitova soon climbed to a 4-3 advantage.

An issue with the arena's lighting system forced a temporary halt to play. When it resumed, Kvitova eventually closed out the 6-4 set.

The second set proved a repeat of the first as Kvitova got an early break. Kvitova would only face break points in the final game when up 5-2. Though it took her several attempts to serve out the match, Kvitova did so 6-4, 6-2 to give the Czechs a 2-0 lead.

Kvitova hit 31 winners total to just 13 for Giorgi.

“It was a very good day for us but we have to look for another day like this tomorrow. Very proud of the girls' performance they played really well and I’m really glad that it all went in two sets and in our favor," Czech Fed Cup coach Petr Pala said to FedCup.com.

Germany Rules Over Australia Early in Brisbane

Despite traveling all the way down to Brisbane, Australia for their semifinal tie, Germany showed no effects as they took hold of an early 2-0 lead.

Playing in front of local supporters, Sam Stosur kicked things off against recent Charleston winner Andrea Petkovic. Despite serving an ace to start, Stosur dropped serve in the opening game. Stosur would drop serve two more times allowing Petkovic to win the set 6-1.

The second set proved more competitive as Stosur would serve for it at 5-4. Petkovic would break back though and eventually a tiebreak was needed. Petkovic would win the close breaker to take the match 6-1, 7-6(7).

Angelique Kerber kept the momentum going for Germany in her second singles rubber versus Casey Dellacqua.

Kerber would prove to have all the answers though as she ran away with a 6-1, 6-0 win.

Stosur will play Kerber in the second reverse singles on Sunday. with Dellacqua taking on Petkovic.