Ana Ivanovic will face Lucie Safarova in the opening rubber of the 2012 Fed Cup. The Czech holds a 3-2 lead over Ivanovic and recently defeated her in Sydney. Ivanovic said: "It's going to be a tough match -- I had a tough loss against her in Sydney so hopefully I can play better and get revenge."
Ana's ready for action —
Ana Ivanovic will face Lucie Safarova in the opening rubber of the 2012 Fed Cup. The Czech holds a 3-2 lead over Ivanovic and recently defeated her in Sydney. Ivanovic said: "It's going to be a tough match -- I had a tough loss against her in Sydney so hopefully I can play better and get revenge."
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Jankovic, ranked 22 in the world, will take on Petra Kvitova in her first match but is confident Serbia can overcome the current Fed Cup champions. She said: "It's an historical moment for Serbian women's tennis. We are all excited to be here in Prague and to have this opportunity to win the title, which is our ultimate goal and we very much look forward to the competition."
Jankovic eyes history —
Jankovic, ranked 22 in the world, will take on Petra Kvitova in her first match but is confident Serbia can overcome the current Fed Cup champions. She said: "It's an historical moment for Serbian women's tennis. We are all excited to be here in Prague and to have this opportunity to win the title, which is our ultimate goal and we very much look forward to the competition."
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Bojana Jovanovski is set to play alongside Aleksandra Krunic in the doubles on Saturday. Jovanovski, who will turn 21 on December 31, is currently ranked 56 in the world and reached the second round at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She is the third-highest ranked Serbian female after Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.
Bojana brings her game —
Bojana Jovanovski is set to play alongside Aleksandra Krunic in the doubles on Saturday. Jovanovski, who will turn 21 on December 31, is currently ranked 56 in the world and reached the second round at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She is the third-highest ranked Serbian female after Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.
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At just 19 and ranked 167, this is the biggest weekend of Aleksandra Krunic's young career. But while she might be young, she's also fearless and has won three of the four doubles matches during her time on the Serbia team. In this year's first round tie against Belgium she stepped in to play the third singles rubber, losing to Yanina Wickmayer, before bouncing back to win the doubles contest alongside Bojana Jovanovski.
Young and fearless —
At just 19 and ranked 167, this is the biggest weekend of Aleksandra Krunic's young career. But while she might be young, she's also fearless and has won three of the four doubles matches during her time on the Serbia team. In this year's first round tie against Belgium she stepped in to play the third singles rubber, losing to Yanina Wickmayer, before bouncing back to win the doubles contest alongside Bojana Jovanovski.
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Serbia's Bojana Jovanovski, Jelena Jankovic, captain Dejan Vranes, Ana Ivanovic and Aleksandra Krunic pose for a photo with the trophy ahead of the weekend's battle with the Czech Republic.
Serbia stars ready for challenge —
Serbia's Bojana Jovanovski, Jelena Jankovic, captain Dejan Vranes, Ana Ivanovic and Aleksandra Krunic pose for a photo with the trophy ahead of the weekend's battle with the Czech Republic.
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Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova, Lucie Hradecka, Petra Kvitova, captain Petr Pala, Lucie Safarova and Klara Zakopalova are bidding to win the country's second consecutive title following last year's 3-2 win over Russia.
Czech mates —
Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova, Lucie Hradecka, Petra Kvitova, captain Petr Pala, Lucie Safarova and Klara Zakopalova are bidding to win the country's second consecutive title following last year's 3-2 win over Russia.
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Petra Kvitova enjoyed a stunning 2011, winning six of her nine career titles including her Grand Slam triumph at Wimbledon. But having reached a career high of No.2 just 12 months ago, she has endured a less successful time in recent months and has slipped to No. 8. But in the Fed Cup, Kvitova has been on a hot-streak, winning ten consecutive matches to take her overall record to 15-4. She said: "I'm leading Czech Republic and I know I have big pressure on my back."<br />
Petra's pumped —
Petra Kvitova enjoyed a stunning 2011, winning six of her nine career titles including her Grand Slam triumph at Wimbledon. But having reached a career high of No.2 just 12 months ago, she has endured a less successful time in recent months and has slipped to No. 8. But in the Fed Cup, Kvitova has been on a hot-streak, winning ten consecutive matches to take her overall record to 15-4. She said: "I'm leading Czech Republic and I know I have big pressure on my back."
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Left-hander Lucie Safarova will open the Czech's defence of the title against Ana Ivanovic and the 25-year-old is expecting a tough challenge. The World No. 17 said: "Ana is a great player, and Jelena as well, so both of the matches will be really tough, but that's how it should be as this is the finals so I will try my best and try to get the two points." Safarova will be hoping to perform better than she did in last year's final where she lost both singles rubbers to Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Safarova expecting Serb storm —
Left-hander Lucie Safarova will open the Czech's defence of the title against Ana Ivanovic and the 25-year-old is expecting a tough challenge. The World No. 17 said: "Ana is a great player, and Jelena as well, so both of the matches will be really tough, but that's how it should be as this is the finals so I will try my best and try to get the two points." Safarova will be hoping to perform better than she did in last year's final where she lost both singles rubbers to Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
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Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka are the second ranked doubles team in women's tennis and will prove a huge threat in Prague. Together they have won nine titles including their 2011 triumph at the French Open. Despite losing in the finals at both Wimbledon and the Olympics, they have secured four hard court titles this year which came at Auckland, Memphis, Cincinnati and Luxembourg.
Czech duo ready to dominate —
Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka are the second ranked doubles team in women's tennis and will prove a huge threat in Prague. Together they have won nine titles including their 2011 triumph at the French Open. Despite losing in the finals at both Wimbledon and the Olympics, they have secured four hard court titles this year which came at Auckland, Memphis, Cincinnati and Luxembourg.
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