The Czech Republic claimed its third Fed Cup title in four years

Petra Kvitova came through a thrilling encounter with Germany’s Angelique Kerber to win her second rubber of the 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final and earn Czech Republic its third title in four years. 

The world No. 4 came through a gripping battle 76(5) 46 64 to end any hope of a German comeback and secure her nation its eighth overall title amid a raucous atmosphere in Prague – but it was a heroic effort from Kerber. The German had struggled to hold both nerve and serve during Saturday’s second singles rubber, squandering the advantage of a break over Lucie Safarova in each set, but she returned on Sunday determined to handle herself better under pressure. 
 So it proved, and though Kvitova made a comfortable start, holding to love in the opening game before bringing up three break point opportunities on Kerber’s serve, the world No. 10 dug her heels in to see off the early danger. Kerber’s occasional frailties on serve remained painfully apparent. 
A couple of double faults in her first two service games were lessened in significance only by the same number by Kvitova - not to mention the Czech’s 11 unforced errors - and it was the German who struck the incisive first blow. Perhaps still ruing her missed opportunity on Kerber’s opening serve, Kvitova flung a backhand long on Kerber’s first break point to hand the travelling contingent the glimmer of hope they needed.