Kvitova-Petkovic will open Fed Cup final
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prague, Czech Republic (SportsNetwork.com) - The 2014 Fed Cup final between the host Czech Republic and Germany will commence Saturday with a singles showdown between Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and former top-10 star Andrea Petkovic.
"It's going to be a really tough match. I don't expect anything, but I'm ready for it," Petkovic said of her scheduled bout with the tough left-hander Kvitova.
Saturday's other singles rubber in Prague will pit the hosts' Lucie Safarova against world No. 10 German Angelique Kerber.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sunday's action on the indoor hardcourt at O2 Arena tentatively pits the fourth-ranked Kvitova against Kerber, the No. 14 Petkovic versus the 17th- ranked Safarova, and a Czech tandem of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka against a German duo of 2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki and Julia Goerges in a potentially deciding doubles affair at this best-of-five tie.
Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon champ who led the Czechs to back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. She's a stellar 21-6 lifetime in her Fed Cup singles matches.
The Czechs, seeking a third title in four years, are captained by Petr Pala, while Germany, competing in its first Fed Cup final in 22 years, is guided by Barbara Rittner.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Czechs Republic beat its fellow two-time Fed Cup champion Germans in their previous three encounters.