Yanina Wickmayer takes on Petra Kvitova in a vital rubber in the Fed Cup semi-final between Belgium and the Czech Republic this weekend.
This rubber could prove crucial to deciding which of the two nations goes forth to the Fed Cup final as the two number ones go head-to-head with the tie locked at 1-1 after Saturday's action.
Kvitova overcame her nerves to get the Czechs off to a flying start with a convincing 6-2, 7-6 win over the veteran Kirsten Flipkens. The big hitting left-hander was always going to be the more comfortable of the two on a fast paced indoor court and she found her hitting range quickly.
Wickmayer then stepped up to overcome the feisty Barbara Zahlavova Strycova 6-4, 6-4 to level the tie. Despite being a break down early on, Wickmayer remained composed to see off a tricky opponent.
Both sides were bullish after day one with the Czech captain Petr Pala looking to pile on the pressure for the Belgians by suggesting this is a must win rubber for them.
Wickmayer will have to find a way to counter Kvitova's first strike tennis. She leads their head-to-head 3-1 and won a tight three setter in the fourth round of the 2009 US Open but Kvitova edged their latest meeting 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 in Paris back in February.
Prediction: Wickmayer in three
