The Czech Republic successfully defended the Fed Cup trophy, dominating the Serbian team 2-0 on Saturday, and even though on Sunday Ana Ivanovic gave Serbia a slight ray of hope by beating the highest-ranked Czech Petra Kvitova in the first match of the day, Lucie Safarova’s rocking winners against Jelena Jankovic finished the job for the Czechs in Prague.
In the first match of reverse singles, Ivanovic spiced up the Fed Cup tie by beating Kvitova 6-3 7-5 (Kvitova’s first Fed Cup loss in 12 singles rubbers), thus keeping Serbia’s hopes alive, but in the second match of the day Jankovic was just a helpless observer in the 6-1 6-1 loss to Safarova which brought the Czech team an unassailable 3-1 lead.
After Day 1 it was clear that the Czech team would come out on top, but I’m sorry that Jankovic cried because she wasn’t up for the challenge physically:
I’m really very sorry for my team that I wasn’t able to be at 100 percent today. I tried my best on the court but it wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t able to move properly. Throughout the match, it was getting worse and worse.
Serbia was looking for their first Fed Cup title in their first Fed Cup final. Nevertheless, this is Serbia’s best Fed Cup season ever and it should stay in positive memory. Also, all Serbian top players showed up for the final, the fact that needs to be appreciated. The Czech team was better this time and deserved to become the third country in a row to successfully defend the Fed Cup title, after Russia (2007-08) and Italy (2009-10). (quote via ESPN)
I’m confused: has Jelena won a match this year?
Gregoire, now I’m confused. What do you mean? In the Fed Cup she lost 2 matches.
It was a good effort by Serbia but the Czechs were simply too strong. Anyway, making a final is also a big achievement. And I bet Ana will go to bed very happy tonight as she finished the season with a top 10 win.