Czech Rep claim Fed Cup win over Romania

Bucharest - Defending champion Czech Republic beat host Romania 3-2 Sunday to advance to the semi-finals of the Fed Cup.

Karolina Pliskova again won her singles rubber of the first-round match, defeating Monica Niculescu 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 after playing for more than 2 ¼ hours.

Pliskova later returned to team up with Barbora Strycova for a 6-2, 6-3 win in the deciding doubles rubber over Romanians Andreea Mitu and Raluca Olaru in just 74 minutes.

The victory means the Czech Republic will meet Switzerland in April's semi-finals.

Earlier Sunday, third-ranked Simona Halep moved Romania ahead after winning a three-set fight against Petra Kvitova 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the Transylvanian city of Cluj.

Pliskova and Strycova also won the decisive doubles rubber in the 2015 Fed Cup Final in Prague.