Fed Cup in Czech hands again

Day two of the Fed Cup between the Czech Republic and the USA.

Rubber Three

Katerina Siniaková (Czech Republic) v Sofia Kenin (USA)

In one of the most memorable matches in recent Fed Cup history, Siniaková broke the American serve in the opening game of set one, and consolidated the break for a 2-0 lead,

Then a five deuce game saw Kenin break back for 1-2, the first of three successive dropped serves.

At 5-5, the pair had managed to hold serve only twice each.

When Siniaková broke to love in the eleventh game, and served out to lead 7-5, Kenin could merely reflect on her 23 unforced errors and two points won out of fourteen on her second serve.

Siniaková led 3-0 in set two and had two break points for a 4-0 and seemingly insurmountable advantage.

However, Kenin dug herself out of this deep hole to not only hold serve, but proceed to break the Czech delivery three times and level the match at 5-7 7-5.

In the decider, Siniaková once more jumped ahead to a 3-0 lead, after saving several break points in the opening game.

Kenin struggled onto the scoreboard and then we witnessed a nineteen minute game on the Siniaková serve.  Five break points were saved in this epic 55 point game and Siniaková finished it ahead 4-1.

Instead of feeling vanquished after missing out on all those chances, Kenin won four straight games and remarkably had two match points on the Siniaková serve.

Thanks to courageous deep and wide shots, Siniaková saved the match points, and Kenin nervously contributed errors, leading to a break of the American serve.

Siniaková held serve after trailing 0-40, and Kenin let slip a 40-30 lead when serving to stay in the match.

Katerina Siniaková defeated Sofia Kenin with her second match point, after three hours and forty five minutes, 7-5 5-7 7-5, to give the Czech Republic a 3-0 lead and victory in this years Fed Cup.

Six of the last eight Fed Cup triumphs have been enjoyed by the Czech team, and with its depth a successful 2019 defence is surely on the cards.