Stuttgart, Germany – Petra Kvitova and Iveta Benesova each set thrillers to give the Czech Republic a commanding 2-0 lead over Germany in its Fed Cup quarterfinal.
Benesova gave the defending Fed Cup champions the first point with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Sabine Lisicki before Kvitova outlasted Julia Goerges in a 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 marathon.
Kvitova, the reigning Wimbledon champ and world No. 2, needed two hours and 21 minutes to finally dispatch Goerges. She earned her 26th consecutive win on indoor hardcourts.
It will be a quick turnaround for Kvitova, who will give the Czechs the first chance to close out the best-of-five tie on Sunday against Lisicki in the first reverse singles match.
Benesova and Goerges are scheduled to meet in the second singles match Sunday, while the doubles match currently will feature a German tandem of Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Angelique Kerber against a Czech pairing of Lucie Hradecka and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
The Czechs are 5-1 all-time against Germany, which has captured the Fed Cup twice in its history. The Czechs won last year's crown by beating Russia, 3-2, in the final.
This weekend's winner will face the Italy-Ukraine victor in April's semifinals.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.