As the leading women from France and the Czech Republic gathered at Strasbourg for the Fed Cup Final in a festive indoor atmosphere, it was apparent to all tennis authorities that both nations could realistically expect to capture the prestigious international team championship. As the host country, France had a large dose of sentiment on their side; conversely, the Czech Republic boasted a formidable lineup which included the sixth ranked woman in the world, supported by a remarkably capable supporting cast. For those of us who followed this Fed Cup final with special interest, it always seemed certain to hold our full attention from beginning to end.
That is precisely what happened. In the end, the visiting team demonstrated their supremacy in no uncertain fashion, but, predictably, it went down to the wire before the Czech Republic came through 3-2 to secure their third Fed Cup team title in a row and their fifth in an impressive six year span. Through it all, across a stirring weekend, the player who carried her nation across the finish line was none other than Karolina Pliskova, the aforementioned world No. 6. She would split her two singles contests before playing a crucial role in winning the last doubles encounter. At the end of a long season, after a period of considerable growth and an appearance in her first major final, despite being debilitated by so much hard work, Pliskova was commendably disciplined and determined.
But let’s review a gripping weekend chronologically. The opening act was a stirring clash between Pliskova and Kristina Mladenovic, a 23-year-old ranked 42nd in the world. One might have believed Mladenovic would be intimidated by the responsibility of taking on the U.S. Open finalist in such a daunting setting, but she acquitted herself honorably. Pliskova forged an early 3-1 lead before Mladenovic fought back tenaciously to 3-3. But Pliskova regained the initiative in the seventh game, breaking serve again with a winning backhand down the line return off a weak second serve kicker. Pliskova—the 2016 WTA Tour leader in aces because her delivery is singularly deceptive and deadly accurate—held at 15 with an ace for 5-3 and broke her adversary again to seal the set as Mladenovic double faulted the ninth game away.
The second set was locked at 3-3 but Pliskova double faulted into the net at break point down in the seventh game. The favorite got the break right back for 4-4, but soon found herself in uncomfortable territory again. She dropped serve once more, this time with an unforced error off the forehand. A buoyant Mladenovic served out the set energetically in the tenth game to make it one set all.
