Tennis: Kvitova to lead Czechs against Italy

Czechs eased past Australia 4-0 at home in s first round in February, while Italy beat the United States 3-2.

PRAGUE: Holders Czech Republic yesterday named a five-member squad led by world number eight Petra Kvitova for their Fed Cup semi-final tie against Italy on clay in Palermo on April 20-21.

Besides Kvitova, team captain Petr Pala has called up world number 21 Klara Zakopalova and 25th-ranked Lucie Safarova along with doubles specialists Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, the world numbers four and five in doubles.

“I’ll make the final decision on the team on the spot depending on the health and shape of the players,” said Pala, who can only name four players for the actual tie, on the team’s Facebook page.

The Czechs eased past Australia 4-0 at home in this year’s first round in February, while Italy beat the United States 3-2.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.