Halep delays nose op to play title-holding Czechs in Fed Cup

By foxsports
Published

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Simona Halep postponed a nose operation so she can play for Romania against the defending champion Czech Republic in the first round of the Fed Cup this weekend.

Halep will face Karolina Pliskova in the first singles on Saturday in Cluj.

''Before I was sick ... and had many problems but now I'm OK,'' Halep said at the draw on Friday. ''I have to have surgery later. It's tough to breathe but not that dangerous, so I can have the surgery later.''

Teammate Monica Niculescu will meet two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the second singles.

Following the reverse singles on Sunday, the doubles features Andreea Mitu and Raluca Olaru against Barbora Strycova and Denisa Allertova.

If the Czechs win, it will boost their chances of winning the Fed Cup for a third consecutive year.