IN what was otherwise a relatively one-sided day, Sofia Kenin‘s comeback in a replay of the Australian Open final proved to be the highlight on day six of the Fed Cup fantasy tennis competition. United States advanced through to the semi-finals to take on Australia, while Czech Republic moved through to set up a date with Russia in the last four.

UNITED STATES (2) defeated SPAIN (0)

In one of the most anticipated matches of the Fed Cup group stage, Australian Open combatants, Kenin and Garbine Muguruza would go head-to-head once again in what was a crucial clash. With Serena Williams red-hot favourite to knock over Carla Suarez Navarro in the second tie, it was vital that the Spaniard got up in the opening match. Muguruza did get off to the perfect start, winning five of the first six games to take a strong advantage in the first set. A break back by Kenin helped the American claw her way to 3-5, but was broken in the final game of the set for Muguruza to take the opener, 6-3. The Spanish Grand Slam winner started off the second set the way she had finished the first, winning four of the first five games, and then leading 5-3. Having back-to-back match points on her serve, it looked like Spain was going to take out the first match. Kenin had other ideas though, calmly forcing an error from the Muguruza backhand and then hitting her own forehand winner just inches in from the baseline to draw level at deuce, and then went on to break in the game. It spurred the American on to win four consecutive games and take the set 7-5 and level proceedings. Scorned by the missed opportunity, Muguruza came out firing by breaking in the second game of the third set and leading 3-0. Kenin clawed her way back and despite Muguruza being 4-2 up, it was anyone’s game. For the second time in the match, Kenin found a way to dig deep, winning four consecutive games and taking out the match, 3-6 7-5 6-4.

The second match was nothing like the first, with the game over and done in just over an hour. Williams completely dominated Suarez Navarro, winning 10 consecutive games to race to 6-0 4-0 in the blink of an eye. The retiring Spaniard did manage to avoid a couple of donuts in her final Fed Cup match, winning two of the next three games, but ultimately succumbed to Williams’ pressure and went down 6-0 6-2 in 62 minutes. United States were through for a massive clash against Australia in the next round, and Kenin would then have to face the player she defeated in the Australian Open semi-final, Ash Barty.

Sofia Kenin (USA) defeated Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 3-6 7-5 6-4
Serena Williams (USA) defeated Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 6-0 6-2

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CZECH REPUBLIC (2) defeated GERMANY (0)

Unfortunately the second match of the day did not have the same appeal as the opening one, with Czech Republic cruising to a straight sweep of Germany to book its spot in the semi-finals against Russia. Karolina Pliskova was up first on court taking on Grand Slam winner, Angelique Kerber. After the German won the first game, Pliskova reeled off four of the next five to lead 4-2, and then had a crucial break the ninth game of the set to win it 6-3. Kerber again won the first game of the set in the second, but Pliskova went to another level and completely took Kerber out of the contest. The Czech won six of the next seven games in just 30 minutes to run away with the match 6-3 6-2 and hand her side an early advantage after losing to Belinda Bencic in her first Fed Cup match.

The second match saw Petra Kvitova taking on Julia Goerges with the former strong favourite to wrap up the tie, but the German never to be underestimated. As was expected, Goerges put up a fight for the most part, being 3-4 down at one stage but refusing to give in. Kvitova had the class to put her away with the final two games of the first set and win it, 6-3. The Czech then bounced back from an early break in the second set to break her opponent twice herself, and lead 4-2 at one stage. The players traded blows for the remainder of the set, but those three consecutive games were ultimately the difference and Kvitova sent her country into the semi-finals with an impressive win, 6-3 6-4 in around an hour and 46 minutes.

Karolina Pliskova (CZE) defeated Angelique Kerber (GER) 6-3 6-2
Petra Kvitova (CZE) defeated Julia Goerges (GER) 6-3 6-4