Czechs face Italy in Fed Cup semis

Defending champion Czech Republic is counting on a fast court to help the team overcome Italy in a Fed Cup semifinal between the last two champions.

The Czechs believe the indoor hard court at CEZ Arena in the eastern city of Ostrava should be favorable for Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova, who will play singles for the host. French Open doubles champions Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka are also on the team.

''I believe that the fast court, which we have in Ostrava, will be a great advantage for us,'' the third-ranked Kvitova said. ''It will be more about serve and return rather than about rallies.''

Because of illness and injury, Kvitova has played only three matches on the WTA tour since she helped the Czechs beat Germany 4-1 in February.

Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta will lead Italy in the weekend's semis. Italy captain Corrado Barazzutti also picked Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci.

Schiavone, who won at Roland Garros in 2010, is at No. 12 in the WTA rankings. Pennetta is at No. 24, while Vinci has climbed to No. 18 and Errani No. 33.

The Czechs also hope to avenge an embarrassing 5-0 sweep in their last encounter in the 2010 on clay in Rome when they failed to win a single set.

Italy, which won the title in 2006, 2009 and 2010, won the last four Fed Cup series against the Czechs.

''It's time for a change,'' said the 23rd-ranked Safarova who lost to Serena Williams 6-0, 6-1 in the Family Circle Cup final on April 8.

Pennetta, who beat both Kvitova and Hradecka in the 2010 semis and is unbeaten in the Fed Cup since 2009, expected a much harder fight than last time.

''They play much better on hard court,'' she said. ''We have to play really well to beat them.''

The winner of this weekend's best-of-five series faces Serbia or Russia in November's final.