It is official! It’s Russia vs Czech Republic for the Fed Cup 2011 Final Match Showdown which will take place in November. Both nations secured the Fed Cup 2011 finals berth after beating their opponents in contrasting fashion.
The Russian team whitewashed defending champion Italy with a commanding 5-0 victory while the Czech team battled hard to win in a decider doubles match 3-2.
Czech bets Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova beat Kirsten Flipkens and Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-4 to secure the crucial victory and earned for the country its first-ever finals appearance at the Fed Cup.
“Everything was in my head. The lows of losing to Kirsten, and then this high. This is the best feeling. It’s a great achievement for Czech Republic and for the whole team. We’ve worked so hard for this victory,” Zahlavova Strycova said.
The Italian team’s title defense was clearly weakened after Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone – the duo that led the Italian team to victory last year – decided to skip the match.
