Czech into semis after Kvitova sees off Lisicki

Defending champions the Czech Republic are into the Fed Cup semi-finals after Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova beat Sabine Lisicki 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to put the Czechs 3-0 up.

After Iveta Benesova's win over Lisicki and Kvitova's victory against Germany's Julia Goerges on Saturday, the Czech team now has an unbeatable lead and the Germans are playing for pride in the day's two remaining games.

"I had trouble with my returns in the beginning, but I knew what I had to do and things improved in the second set," said Kvitova.

"I am happy and I knew how I could manage to return her serve, she played very well, it was a different game from when she played against Iveta.

"I am really happy we have three points already."

The Czech Republic's victory means they will face either Ukraine or Italy in April's semi-finals, while Germany face a relegation match on April 21-22 to stay in World Group I against the top team from World Group II.

Germany were without their injured number one Andrea Petkovic, who reached the last eight of the French, US and Australia Opens in 2011, but the hosts failed to cope with a strong Czech line-up led by Kvitova.

"It's hard to say why I enjoy playing indoors so much, you don't have the sunlight to worry about, but apart from that I don't know what the key is, I just know I feel comfortable indoors," said the 21-year-old, world number two.