Czech Republic eliminated with second loss, after defeat by Russia Wednesday
France has beaten the Czech Republic, 3-0, on the second day of the Fed Cup women's tennis competition in Madrid, Spain.
Sandrine Testud, the world's number 11 player, beat Kveta Hrdlickova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. Amelie Mauresmo, ranked ninth in the world, defeated Denisa Chladkova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5. Testud later team with Nathalie Tauziat to defeat Petra Cetkovska and Alena Vaskova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
The Czech Republic now has no chance of making the final after losing, 2-1, to Russia in its opening match series Wednesday.
Also today, Germany took a 1-0 lead over Australia after Bianka Lamade defeated Alicia Molik in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5. Barbara Rittner of Germany takes on Nicole Pratt in the second singles match. Lamade and Rittner will face Rachel McQuillan and Nicole Pratt in doubles. Later today, Russia takes on Argentina.
The Fed Cup brings together eight women's tennis teams divided into two groups of four in a round-robin format for the first round. After group play, the top two teams meet in the final on Sunday.