Romania has reached their first Fed Cup World Groups semi final after claiming their latest win of 3-2 over defending champions and hosts the Czech Republic, where they played in Ostrava. Simona Halep fought hard against former world number one Karolina Pliskova, putting Romania 2-1 after both were level at 1-1 after the first day.
Katerina Siniakova then went on to best Mihaela Buzarnescu, setting up a decider in the process. Irina-Cemelia Begu and Monica Niculescu best Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova, sealing the victory for their team. The Romanian pair recovered from their loss at the opening set, and went on to win 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-4 in a match that last under three hours.
Halep, champion of the French Open, has vowed to win a first Fed Cup for her country before she declares her retirement, and pushed hard against Pliskova, beating her 6-4 5-7 6-4 before Siniakova finished off her match with a more comfortable 6-4 6-2 over Buzarnescu. Krejcikova and Siniakova, who are both Wimbledon champions, as well as the top tow players in the rankings for doubles, were hoping to take home the Czech Republic’s 12th consecutive home victory in the competition, which they have won a total of six times since 2011.
They seemed on track when they took the opening set, but Niculescu and Begu broke early into the second set before levelling it out later, and another three breaks to the serve in the third set.
| # | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Ladbrokes |  | 5/5 | 100% Match up to $250 | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Betway | | 4.9/5 | Up to $60 NZD | Bet now Review |
| 3 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.8/5 | 100% Match | Bet now Review |
| 4 |  | Picklebet | | 4.6/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now Review |
More About Gary Hicks
When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.
You May Also Like:
Zverev Says He Regrets Umpire Incident
Alexander Zverev says he deeply regrets the attack he launched on the umpire’s chair at the Mexican Open in Acapulco. After taking issue with a line call on Tuesday night, ….
Peng Shuai’s Real Status Still In Question
Uncertainty continues to prevail over whether or not Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai is actually safe and able to speak freely. According to a journalist who conducted a recent first ….
Labor Lashes Out At Gov Over Djokovic Delay
Australia’s Labor party is accusing the Morrison government of dragging out the Novak Djokovic visa affair unnecessarily – and in a deliberate effort to distract from its woes surrounding the ….
Officials Looking Into Djokovic Declaration
Australian border officials are reportedly investigating whether tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic had indeed been honest when he declared he had not travelled for two weeks prior to his ….
WTA Insists On Peng Shuai Investigation
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has repeated its call for a full and transparent investigation into the welfare and safety of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai. The organisation said a ….