SEVILLE, Spain (AP)—Carla Suarez Navarro shook off a long rain delay to dispense with Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-4, giving Spain a 1-0 lead over the Czech Republic in their Fed Cup first-round tie on Saturday.
Showers and strong winds delayed the start of the outdoor clay-court match, which was then stopped due to poor weather after 27 minutes with Suarez Navarro leading 4-1.
When the sky finally cleared, Suarez Navarro again dominated and cruised to the opening point in 52 minutes of playing time stretched over six hours because of the drawn-out rain break.
Suarez Navarro broke Zahlavova Strycova three times while saving three break points to protect her serve.
''It was very important for us to start out with a win,'' Spain captain Conchita Martinez said. ''We knew the weather could be like this. We talked about it all week and my players were prepared for anything.''
The second singles between Spain's Maria-Teresa Toro-Flor and Czech Klara Zakapalova scheduled for Saturday will be played on Sunday before the reverse singles and doubles.
The Czechs have won the Fed Cup seven times. Spain has won it on five occasions.