Reigning champion the Czech Republic returns for the first round of the Fed Cup on Saturday in its quest to maintain its title. The team will face off against Australia for two days at the Cez Arena in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
The matchup between the two nations will represent the first since 1992. The first round matchup will pair off two top seeded players, Petra Kvitova (8) from the Czech Republic and Samantha Stosur (9) from Australia. Kvitova, who has been with the team for the past two years, led the Czech Republic to the finals both years and will want to do the same this year. She is joined by teammates Lucie Safarova (18), Lucie Hradecka (53) and Andrea Hlavackova (70).
On the other side, Stosur led Australia back into the World Group over victories against Switzerland and Germany. The No. 9-seeded singles player is joined by teammates Casey Dellacqua (126), Jarmila Gajdosova (168) and Ashleigh Barty (180).
The winner of the matchup will move on to the semifinals in April and will compete against the winner of the Italy vs. USA matchup. The loser of the matchup will head to the World Group Play-offs and will face one of the winners of the World Group II matchups for the chance to be in the World Group in 2014.
The Fed Cup kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 9 and will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 10. To watch the matches live, head here. Returning champion Czech Republic will face off against Australia in the first round of the tournament.
Czech Republic vs. Australia Matchup
Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic
Saturday (February 9): 1300 hrs (0700 hrs EST)
Sunday (February 10): 1200 hrs (0600 hrs EST)