PRAGUE — Iveta Benesova, ranked No. 25, will lead the Czech team that faces the United States in next week’s Fed Cup semifinals.
Benesova was selected Wednesday with No. 45 Petra Kvitova, No. 49 Lucie Safarova and veteran doubles specialist Kveta Peschke for the matches on indoor carpet at Rondo Arena in Brno on April 25-26.
The same squad beat Spain 4-1 in the quarterfinals in February to send the Czechs to their first semifinal since 1997.
“I’ve named the best and strongest possible team,” captain Petr Pala said.
The U.S. beat Argentina 3-2 in the quarterfinals. U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez was expected to announce her team Wednesday. Serena and Venus Williams are not expected to play.
The Americans have a 2-0 record against the Czech Republic. The U.S. has won 17 Fed Cup titles but none since 2000.
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