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Czechs sweep Canada 4-0 to advance in Fed Cup World Group; Canada must win playoff tie to stay
When Gabriela Dabrowski took a 4-1 lead over a slow-out-of-the blocks Karolina Pliskova to start the second day of the Fed Cup tie between Canada and the Czech Republic, there was a glimmer of hope.
But just a glimmer. Pliskova won 13 of the next 15 games, winning the match 6-4, 6-2 and clinching the weekend tie for her country, which will now host France in the Fed Cup semi-finals.
The Canadians will have to play a relegation tie April 18-19, opponent and location to be determined, to remain in World Group I.
"I started really bad, did more unforced errors than I should. She was playing quite good, not making that many mistakes. But I found my timing and then I felt quite good," Pliskova said in an on-court interview with Sportsnet.
Because the tie was clinched, the second singles was not played. They went straight to the doubles, where Dabrowski was in more of a comfort zone, despite being paired with Françoise Abanda for the first time.
In the doubles, the Canadians were down a set and 5-2 before taking the Czech team of Lucie Hradecka and Denisa Allertova to a tiebreak. But the Czechs took the tiebreak 7-2 to seal the 4-0 sweep.
Now, it's back to the drawing board. And it's back to the "what can we do to convince Genie Bouchard to play in April" campaign because, without her, not only can Canada not hope to stay in World Group I, they realistically don't even belong there with no dependable player at second singles, and no established doubles tandem.
"We played a better team. And it was difficult. I think our girls tried their best, but it was just too short. I have to give the Czechs credit, good aggressive tennis, and they took it to us. Hopefully the experience will serve Françoise, and Gaby, well in the future," captain Bruneau told Sportsnet.
As for having Bouchard on board in April, Bruneau didn't sound particularly confident - understandably.
"I think that if we want to be in World Group I and do well, we need to have everybody part of the team," he said. "It’s going to depend on her schedule, going to depend where we play, which surface. If we play in Europe on red clay maybe it makes sense for her (because it's right at the start of the spring clay-court season there). If we are in Canada and play indoors ..."
Those are questions that remain to be answered. And if past history is any indication, they're not likely to be answered until the very last moment.
The draw for the playoff ties will be made in London on Tuesday, at 5 a.m. EST. At that point, the Canadian Fed Cup team may know if there's at least a glimmer of hope.
