The Czech Republic is hosting the United States for their 13th overall meeting. The two countries have met in the final two previous times, in 1985 and 1986.

The defending champion United States has been to the Fed Cup final 29 previous times, while this is the 11th final for the Czech team—who have won five titles in eight years, and have lost just one final in history. With a weakened USA team, a powerful Czech team may take advantage of the opportunity. But the Czechs took a hit when they lost world No. 8 Karolina Pliskova, and world No. 7 Petra Kvitova was missing from the draw ceremonies due to an illness.

Here are the players who will compete starting on Saturday in Prague's 02 Arena:

United States

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Danielle Collins

Age: 24

Ranking: No. 36 (Doubles, No. 410)

Davis Cup Record: First appearance

Season Highlights: Title winner at 125K Series in Newport Beach, semifinals of Miami

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Collins is scheduled to play doubles, which would be the final rubber, with Nicole Melichar.

Sofia Kenin

Age: 19

Ranking: No. 52 (Doubles, No. 138)

Davis Cup Record: First appearance

Season Highlight: Semifinals of Mallorca

The teenager will play the first singles rubber, against Barbora Strycova; the Czechs haven't put Petra Kvitova in the lineup, yet.

Alison Riske

Age: 28

Ranking: No. 63 (Doubles, No. 317)

Davis Cup Record: 1-1 singles, 0-1 doubles

Season Highlight: Final of Nurnberg, title winner at $100,000 Surbiton

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Riske is also scheduled for singles, against Katerina Sinakova in Saturday's second rubber.

Nicole Melichar

Age: 25

Ranking: No. 876 (Doubles, No. 15)

Davis Cup Record: First appearance

Season Highlight: Doubles title winner in Prague

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She'll play doubles only, on Sunday, if it's needed.

Petra Kvitova

Age: 28

Ranking: No. 7 (Doubles N/A)

Davis Cup Record: 30-10 singles, 0-1 doubles

Season Highlight: Title winner in St. Petersburg, Doha, Prague, Madrid and Birmingham

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On Thursday, the Czech lineup did not include Kvitova, who is their best player.

Katerina Siniakova

Age: 22

Ranking: No. 31 (Doubles, No. 1)

Davis Cup Record: 1-1 singles, 1-2 doubles

Season Highlight: Quarterfinals of Wuhan and Beijing

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Barbora Strycova

Age: 32

Ranking: No. 33 (Doubles, No. 5)

Davis Cup Record: 10-7 singles, 11-4 doubles

Season Highlight: Semifinals in Birmingham

Barbora Krejcikova

Age: 22

Ranking: No. 203 (Doubles, No. 1)

Davis Cup Record: First appearance

Season Highlight: Doubles title in Wimbledon (with Siniakova)

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Krjecjikova is scheduled to play doubles on Sunday with Sinakova. Play begins on Saturday with Kenin taking on Strycova.

Previewing the U.S.
vs. Czech Republic
Fed Cup final

Previewing the U.S. vs. Czech Republic Fed Cup final

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This Week on Tennis Channel:

Fed Cup Final (Sat. 11/10 to Sun. 11/11)

Petra Kvitova leads the Czech Republic against defending champions USA. Live coverage begins Saturday at 8:00 am EST.