Garcia floors Pliskova to put France ahead in Fed Cup final

Caroline Garcia put on another aggressive display to floor world number six Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and give France a 2-1 lead over defending champions Czech Republic in the Fed Cup final on Sunday.

Garcia, who beat Petra Kvitova on Saturday to level for 1-1 after Pliskova had put the visitors ahead with an epic win against Kristina Mladenovic, prevailed on her first match point to put France within one point of their first title since 2003.

Mladenovic takes on world number 11 Kvitova in Sunday’s second reverse singles as the Czech Republic seek a fifth title in six years.

It was a good match. We knew we had to play our best tennis. We’re 2-1 up but it’s not over yet, said Garcia.