Czechs knocked out in Fed Cup semis by Italy

The Czech Republic have been knocked out in the semi-finals of tennis’s Fed Cup by Italy. The Czechs had lost the opening two rubbers only to recover and take the tie to 2:2 on a clay court in Palermo. However, in Monday’s fifth and final match Lucie Šafářová lost 3-6 6-7 3-6 to Roberta Vinci. Last year the Czechs won the competition, shortly before the Czech men took the Davis Cup; it was the first time the country had held both team titles simultaneously.

Author: Ian Willoughby