The Czech Republic made a perfect start to the Hopman Cup with world No.6 Petra Kvitova and veteran Radek Stepanek cruising to easy wins on Sunday.
Kvitova needed just 57 minutes to beat a sore and sorry Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-1 6-0, while Stepanek beat world No.194 Daniel Munoz-De La Nava 6-2 6-2.
The result gave the Czech Republic an unassailable 2-0 lead over Spain ahead of the mixed doubles rubber.
Medina Garrigues was troubled by sore knees throughout her match, and says she may require an injection to play out the tournament.
“I’m so sore with my knees,” Medina Garrigues said.
“I’ve had a problem with them for a long time.
“I didn’t feel so good because it was a long flight here, and the plane is not good for me. And then on one point I felt it a little bit.
“You feel that you cannot play your best tennis because you can’t run.
“I hope the next day I feel better.”
The Hopman Cup has already been beset by a host of withdrawals.
Spain’s Tommy Robredo pulled out with an arm injury, while Poland’s world No.21 Jerzy Janowicz was forced to withdraw due to a foot complaint.
Then on Saturday, Italian Andreas Seppi retired from his singles match due to illness.
Seppi is expected to recover in time for Tuesday’s clash with Australian Bernard Tomic.
Stepanek, who led his country to Davis Cup glory last month, was a class above Munoz-De La Nava, needing just 78 minutes to secure the win.
Kvitova was pleased with her first hit-out of the season.
“I never know how I will feel on the court after this time when I was training hard,” Kvitova said.
“I was very tired in the last couple of days so I’m glad that I won.”