Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova and Serbia's Ana Ivanovic shake hands during the draw for the Fed Cup final in Prague Friday. — Reuters PRAGUE — Lucie Safarova of holder Czech Republic will take on Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in the first singles rubber of the Fed Cup final here Saturday, after Friday's draw. Safarova, the world No. 17 and Czech No. 2, will face world No. 12 Ivanovic, who is Serbia's No. 1, in Prague's O2 Arena Saturday. “I definitely feel a little bit of pressure, but it's like that before every match you play," Ivanovic, a former world No. 1, told reporters. “Obviously we expect a very tough match so it's going to be important to start well ... to create a little more pressure" on the rivals, she added. But Ivanovic faces a tough challenge as the left-handed Safarova has beaten her in their last three encounters, the most recent being this year in Sydney. “Statistically, I'm on top," said Safarova. “She is an excellent player but I'll do my best," she added, naming an outstanding serve and forehand and fast play among Ivanovic's virtues. “But I can play fast too and my left-handedness is a pro, I can attack on her backhand side," she underlined. In the second rubber Saturday, Czech No. 1 Petra Kvitova, who is recovering from a cold that forced her to pull out of the WTA Championship last week, will face Serbia's No. 2 Jelena Jankovic. “I have some breathing problems but that's what happens when you have a cold," said Kvitova, the world No. 8. “I feel great both about my play and physically too," she added after training for over an hour Thursday. The crowd of almost 14,000 people in the arena might make all the difference. On Sunday, Kvitova will face Ivanovic, before Safarova plays Jankovic in the final singles tie. The Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka are then due to face Serbia's Bojana Jovanovic and Aleksandra Krunic in the closing doubles rubber. — Agencies
