Czechs take 2-0 lead over Italy at Fed Cup

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, April 21 (UPI) -- The Czech Republic took a 2-0 lead over Italy in the Fed Cup Saturday with singles wins by Lucie Safarova and Petra Lvitova.

The strong showing means the Czech women can advance to the finals for the second consecutive year of they can win one of Sunday's reverse-singles or doubles matches.

Safarova, who is scheduled for the reverse-singles Sunday, knocked off one-time French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. Kvitova followed up with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Sara Errani.

Errani will try to keep Italy's hopes alive on Sunday by beating Safarova.