Fed Cup final: Czech Republic 1, Serbia 0

PRAGUE (AP) - Lucie Safarova got defending champion Czech Republic off to a flying start in the Fed Cup final with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ana Ivanovic of Serbia on Saturday.

Safarova converted her first match point with a forehand winner to seal the victory in one hour and 41 minutes.

The 17th-ranked Safarova pressured Ivanovic's backhand and broke her twice in the first set on an indoor hard court at the O2 Arena.

The 12th-ranked Ivanovic who is former No. 1, struggled with her serve and double-faulted at the start of the second set and then wasted two break-point chances to go 2-0 down.

Eighth-ranked Petra Kvitova, who led the Czechs to a 3-2 victory over Russia in the final last year, will play Jelena Jankovic - another former No. 1 - in the second singles match.