Next tie 20-21 April 2013
Czech Republic continue their hunt for a third straight Fed Cup title when they take on Italy in a repeat of last year's semifinals. The two teams have met eight times, with the head-to-head level at four wins each after Czech Republic stopped Italy's run of four straight wins against them last year. Petra Kvitova will be key for the hosts, having won 13 of her last 14 singles rubbers.
Last tie 9-10 Feb 2013
Czech Republic extended their winning-streak in Fed Cup to three years without defeat after thumping Australia 4-0 in Ostrava. Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova set the ball rolling for the hosts, defeating Jarmila Gajdosova and Sam Stosur respectively in straight sets, before Kvitova battled past Stosur in a tight three sets to give Czech Republic an unassailable 3-0 lead. Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka compounded Australia's misery with a comfortable win over Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the dead doubles rubber.
History
The Czechs have been crowned champions on seven occasions - in 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 2011 and 2012. The first five of these wins came under the flag of Czechoslovakia, which they played as until 1992. The Czechs then played as Czech & Slovak Republics in 1993 and Czech Republic since 1994.