The team from the Czech Republic, winner of five of the last seven editions of the Fed Cup, and the United States, holder of the trophy, compete on Saturday and Sunday a final without a favorite, marked by the absence of their best.
After Karolina Pliskova, the 8th player in the world, forfeit due to a tear in a calf, the Czech captain Petr Pala will also have to spend, at least Saturday, the services of Petra Kvitova (N.7), not yet fully discounted. a viral infection.
"Yesterday (Thursday) after training, I still had a fever and had to stay in bed. I'm sorry for that, because I really like the Fed Cup, " Kvitova said on Friday.
"We are doing everything so that I am ready to play at least Sunday. The decision will be made after Saturday's singles , " added Wimbledon double champion (2011, 2014) and the five-time Fed Cup champion. Katerina Siniakova (N.31), Barbora Strycova (N.33) and Barbora Krejcikova, N.1 world doubles, are also in the ranks of the Czech team.
For Strycova, this will be her last appearance in the Fed Cup, where she started at age 16 in 2002.
US captain Kathy Rinaldi left out Sloane Stephens (6th), Madison Keys (16th) and Williams sisters. The singles will be played by Sofia Kenin (N.48) and Alison Riske (N.63), Danielle Collins (N.35) and Nicole Melichar (15th overall in doubles) completing the group.
Strycova and Kenin will open the ball Saturday (14:00 French), according to the draw made Friday. "I have not played against Sofia before, I expect a fierce battle from both sides," said the Czech. Siniakova and Riske will then enter the track, for the second singles of the first day. "It will be a tough match, (Alison Riske) is an excellent player but I think I can win," said Siniakova, who leads 2 wins in a duel with Riske.
"I like the court here in Prague, I can not wait to play," said Riske. The captain of the US team surprised by not singling out Danielle Collins, better ranked in the WTA ranking than Kenin and Riske. "It's up to the captain to make the decision. Ali (Riske) already has experiences in the Fed Cup, she likes to play in the gym, " said Kathy Rinaldi.
As the best nation in recent years, the Czechs have won five of the last seven editions of the Fed Cup (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016). Only two other countries managed to challenge this supremacy: Italy in 2013 and the United States last year.
With 18 kings, the United States holds the record of success in this competition and also lead largely to the record of their confrontations with the Czechs in the Fed Cup, with 10 victories in 12 confrontations.
Last time, the Americans defeated the Czech team in the semi-finals of the 2017 edition, before securing the trophy by defeating the Belarus team (3-2) in Minsk.
The final of the 2018 edition of the Fed Cup takes place on the hard surface of O2 Arena in Prague (15,000 seats).