Defending champions Czech Republic beat Australia in Fed Cup Round 1

Petra Kvitova saved a match point to clinch victory for defending champion Czech Republic over Australia in the Fed Cup first round series on Sunday.

Kvitova rallied to overcome Samantha Stosur 2-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in a matchup of two top 10 players to give the Czechs an insurmountable 3-0 lead on an indoor hardcourt at the CEZ Arena.

The Czechs will face Italy or the United States in the semifinals in April.

Kvitova converted her first match point with one of her 39 winners.

Stosur wasted a match point at 5-4 in the second set, allowing the Czech to come back.

Kvitova took the second set with a forehand winner and jumped to a commanding 5-0 lead in the final set before Stosur fought back.