STRASBOURG, France -- Czech Republic cemented its status of best team in the world by retaining its Fed Cup title on Sunday after Barbora Strycova and Karolina Pliskova won the decisive doubles match in the final against France.The pair beat Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic 7-5, 7-5 to secure a 3-2 win for the Czechs on the indoor hard court at Rhenus Sport Arena.The Czechs won a fifth title in six years, their 10th overall, and became the first team to win three consecutive Fed Cups since Spain from 1993-95. The Czech Republic has been the dominant team of the decade, winning 16 of its last 17 ties dating back to 2010.Their skipper, Petr Pala, is now the most successful captain in the competitions history with five titles to his name.Our secret? Just fighting on every point, fighting until the end, said Strycova, who also clinched the decisive rubber with Pliskova in last years final against Russia.Its a wonderful day. It was not easy, thats why we are so happy, Pliskova said, while the French players wiped away their tears.Strycova was the decisive player on Sunday. Before her impressive display in the doubles, she replaced the injured Petra Kvitova at the last minute to defeat Alize Cornet 6-2, 7-6 (4) and keep the defending champions alive in the final.Caroline Garcia had earlier given France a 2-1 lead with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over sixth-ranked Pliskova.After overpowering Cornet with her mix of deep groundstrokes, slices and rushes to the net, Strycova inspired the Czechs to victory in the doubles with her aggressive tennis.The first set saw both teams perform well, with excellent net play from the Czechs, who made a decisive break in the 11th game after Mladenovic double-faulted to hand Pliskova and Strycova two break points. The Czechs needed only one as Pliskova fired a return on the baseline that Mladenovic could not handle.The French reacted immediately by putting pressure on Pliskovas serve early in the second set with sharp returns but failed to convert two break points. They continued with the same strategy on Strycovas serve, but again wasted two break points.The Czechs were more clinical and made the most of Mladenovics energy dip. They broke in the next game for a 3-2 lead after Strycova hit a difficult backhand overhead winner. Mladenovic and Garcia did not give up and managed to break Strycovas serve to level at 4-4 after Garcia hit a stunning forehand down the line.But the change of momentum didnt last long. Mladenovic dropped her serve after Pliskova kneeled at the net to perfectly handle a passing shot and produce a stunning drop volley on break point. The French duo saved a match point but could not prevent Pliskova from sealing the match on the next one.Kvitova could not play today, we did not have many options, but Strycova played really well, Pala said. The girls never give up, like the French, but there is only one winner. Jesper Fast Rangers Jersey . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Brian Leetch Jersey . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. http://www.rangershockeyonlineshop.com/brady-skjei-hockey-jersey/ . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Tie Domi Rangers Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Mike Richter Rangers Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. DEL MAR, Calif. -- Chao Chom won the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for older California-bred fillies and mares by 1 3/4 lengths on Sunday at Del Mar.Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Chao Chom ran seven furlongs in 1:22.53 and paid $19.80, $3.60 and $3 as the 8-1 second choice.Enola Gray returned $2.10 and $2.10 as the 1-9 favorite, while Cuddle Alert was antoher 2 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $6.40 to sshow.dddddddddddd.Trained by Gary Stute, Chao Chom dueled with Enola Gray until mid-stretch when she drew away to win. Enola Gray had won five of six starts coming in.The victory, worth $57,000, increased Chao Choms career earnings to $146,600, with two wins in seven starts. ' ' '
