Safarova, Errani to open Fed Cup semi-final

Prague: Lucie Safarova and Sara Errani will open the Fed Cup semi-final tie between the Czech Republic and holders Italy in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava starting on Saturday, following Friday`s draw.

Safarova, the world number 26 and the Czech number two, will face 11th-ranked Italian number one Errani on the hardcourt of Ostrava`s CEZ Arena at 1100 GMT. Sixth-ranked Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic will then take on 54th-ranked Camila Giorgi. On Sunday, Kvitova will play against Errani and Safarova will then take on Giorgi. Klara Koukalova and Andrea Hlavackova are due to face Roberta Vinci and Karin Knapp in the doubles rubber, but the line-ups for Sunday may change. The two teams have been taking turns as Fed Cup champions for the last five years, with Italy lifting the trophy in 2009, 2010 and 2013 and the Czechs winning in 2011 and 2012. In the other semi-final, Australia take on Germany in Brisbane.