Czech Republic take unassailable 2-0 lead over Great Britain in Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals
British number one Katie Boulter loses 6-2 7-6 (7-3) to Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova
Sonay Kartal narrowly beaten 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-4 by Marie Bouzkova in first singles match
Kartal was playing first match for six months after suffering a lower back injury
Czech Republic are 11-time champions and all five players are ranked higher than the British team
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 0-0 Kartal
Mel South
Former British player on BBC TV
What an opener to this year's Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Sonay Kartal - just the mentality, raising her level and the aggression.
It's just about seeing how she sustains this level, because it has been exceptional.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 0-0 Kartal
Two more set points for Sonay Kartal, this time on her serve.
And she only requires one! An ace from the Briton. To a decider we go in this opening match.
Image source, Getty ImagesBouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 4-5 Kartal*
Olga Savchuk
Ukrainian former player on BBC TV
It's almost like the tougher and longer the match is, the more Marie Bouzkova enjoys it. She enjoys to suffer.
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 4-5 Kartal*
The Czech fans have turned out to support their team in China, and continue to make plenty of noise between games.
Sonay Kartal will hope to keep them quiet here. A hold of serve needed to force a decider.
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 4-5 Kartal*
Relentless from Sonay Kartal. The Briton forces a second set point and has a steely look in her eyes as she sets herself to try and take this one.
Marie Bouzkova continues to perform under pressure, though and, from a very tight spot, the Czech somehow remains in contention.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 3-5 Kartal
Sonay Kartal does absolutely nothing wrong as she presses on for the set, but Marie Bouzkova finds the line with an angled forehand to stay alive.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 3-5 Kartal
Facing a second serve and 15-30 up, Sonay Kartal goes for a big finish but lifts a forehand long with Marie Bouzkova refusing to break down.
She'll go again, though! Kartal reaches a first set point.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 3-5 Kartal
Sonay Kartal is creating some terrific angles, and redirects a forehand cross-court on her way to a comfortable hold of serve here.
She's just one game away from forcing a decider!
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 3-4 Kartal*
Sonay Kartal narrowly misses the line with a return and Marie Bouzkova stays in touch with another hold as we approach the two-hour mark.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 2-4 Kartal
The tenson is really building now and this feels like a massive game for both players.
With the game poised at deuce, Sonay Kartal unleashes a huge forehand which leaves Marie Bouzkova rooted to the spot.
From break point down, she seals the hold for a 4-2 lead.
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 2-3 Kartal*
Marie Bouzkova tears into a return to create a break point opportunity, but Sonay Kartal digs in and forces an error from her opponent as Bouzkova scrambles across the baseline.
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 2-3 Kartal*
Marie Bouzkova stays in touch, but this is all about Sonay Kartal now.
Can the Briton maintain this excellent level to force a decider?
Image source, Getty Images*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 1-3 Kartal
Unlike the first set, however, Sonay Kartal holds on to her early advantage. A hold to 15 keeps her two games clear.
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 1-2 Kartal*
Excellent hitting from Sonay Kartal, who adds to Marie Bouzkova's increasing frustration by denying the Czech on game point.
Bouzkova doesn't miss her next opportunity, however. Just as she did in the opening set, Bouzkova digs in to avoid falling 0-3 down.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 0-2 Kartal
Marie Bouzkova races in to the net to dismiss the break point with a volley.
Sonay Kartal responds by pulling the Czech in with a drop shot, and Bouzkova swipes the air with her racquet out of frustration after failing to get the ball back in play.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 0-2 Kartal
Sonay Kartal is really taking this to Marie Bouzkova.
Creating the time and space to pop away a forehand winner, Kartal edges to 15-30 after her opponent misses the line.
Bouzkova avoids having to face a couple of break points - but Kartal ensures that she will get one after launching into a huge forehand.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 0-2 Kartal
Sonay Kartal fires down a series of overheads before eventually ending Marie Bouzkova's resistance as she seeks to back up her breakthrough.
Bouzkova slices wide, before Kartal lands a final forehand to take charge of this set. It's been a great response by the Briton.
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 0-1 Kartal*
Marie Bouzkova lets out a yell of frustration after getting caught in two minds at the net.
It gives Sonay Kartal two break points in this opening game - and that is wide from the Czech!
The perfect start to set two for Kartal.
*Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 0-0 Kartal
Marie Bouzkova will serve first in the second set as she aims to get the Czech Republic off to a winning start in China.
After a 70-minute opener, are we set or another tight battle?
Bouzkova 7-6 (7-2) 0-0 Kartal
Sonay Kartal pulls back another point, but Marie Bouzkova finishes off a classy tie-break with a final, angled winner to end Kartal's resistance.
An excellent first set goes the way of the Czech Republic.