Petra Kvitova begins the Czech Republic's bid to reach their first ever Fed Cup final. They take on Belgium in the last four this weekend.
The retirement of Justine Henin and injuries to Kim Clijsters have left the Czechs with a fantastic chance of creating history. However in the absence of the experienced Lucie Safarova, much rests on the shoulders of 21 year old Kvitova who has risen to 18 in the world this year.
The powerful left-hander is extremely dangerous on fast surfaces as she showed as last year's Wimbledon (she reached the semi-finals) and she outplayed newly crown Aussie Open champion Clijsters to win the Paris title in February.
“I’m aware of our history in this competition but I refuse to look back, rather look forward and for the weekend,” Kvitova commented ahead of the tie.
World number 106 Flipkens was part of the Fed Cup side which lost 3-2 to Italy in the 2006 final and she will be hoping she can help lead Belgium to their first final in five years. With Yanina Wickmayer in the second singles, Flipkens is well aware that if she can pull off a shock win in this rubber, it could be potentially decisive in the context of the tie.
Prediction: Kvitova in three
