Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic celebrates her win against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic after their Fed Cup World Group semifinal tennis match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone viai AP))
The Associated Press
LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) - Two-time defending champion Czech Republic was held 1-1 by Switzerland after threatening to dominate the opening singles rubbers in their Fed Cup semifinal.
After 33rd-ranked Barbora Strycova routed No. 17 Timea Bacsinszky 6-0, 6-2 Saturday, Karolina Pliskova led 129th-ranked Viktorija Golubic by one set and a break up in the second set.
Golubic, making her Fed Cup singles debut in the absence of 10th-ranked teammate Belinda Bencic, fought back for an unlikely 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win.
Golubic clinched against No. 18 Pliskova with a running backhand passing shot down the line.
Bacsinszky will open Sunday's reverse singles against Pliskova at the indoor Messe arena, and is scheduled to partner Martina Hingis in doubles if a fifth rubber is needed.
Hingis played 18 years ago when Switzerland last reached the final.
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic returns a shot to Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic, during their Fed Cup World Group semifinal tennis match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone viai AP))
The Associated Press
Switzerland's Martina Hingis, left, and Timea Bacsinszky, right, celebrate during the game of Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, at the Fed Cup World Group semifinal tennis match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, April 16, 2016. After the first two single matches the result is a 1-1 draw. . (Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press
Spectactors watch Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic competing against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, during their Fed Cup World Group semifinal tennis match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press
Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic returns a ball to t Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky, during their Fed Cup World Group semifinal tennis match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press
Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky takes a break during the match against Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic during their Fed Cup World Group semifinal tennis match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, in Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press