Pliskova wins epic against Mladenovic, Garcia defeats Kvitova in Fed Cup

Karolina Pliskova beat Kristina Mladenovic in the Fed Cup final 6-3 4-6 16-14, in a match that lasted almost four hours.

U.S. Open finalist Pliskova seemed to be cruising towards a straightforward victory after breezing through the first set but then lost her focus in the second to allow Mladenovic back in the contest.

The world number six suffered late nerves, wasting two match points, but she proved the fitter player in the end, prevailing after three hours 48 minutes on the Rhenus Sport arena's hardcourt.

It was the longest set ever in a Fed Cup final, which puts the selections of the team captains for the remaining rubbers under scrutiny, with both player's struggling with fatigue towards the end of the match.

In the following match, Caroline Garcia stunned Petra Kvitova 7-6 (6) 6-3 as France made it 1-1 against champions Czech Republic. Garcia produced an aggressive performance to down Wimbledon champion Kvitova.

The Czech threatened a comeback in the second set but the Frenchwoman was too hot and closed it out on her second match point.

Mladenovic takes on Kvitova and world number 23 Garcia plays Pliskova in Sunday's reverse singles ahead of the doubles.