Karolina Pliskova starred for the Czech Republic in their win over Romania ©Getty Images

Defending Fed Cup champions Czech Republic were handed a scare in their World Group first round tie as they narrowly edged past Romania in Cluj.

The Czech team have won four of the last five editions of the women's team tennis competition, with their latest triumph coming against Russia in November, and were looking to enjoy a comfortable start to this year’s tournament.

Their prospects looked promising after Karolina Pliskova claimed the scalp of world number three Simona Halep in the first singles clash, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.

However, Petra Kvitova suffered back-to-back defeats to swing the contest in the Romanian team's favour, as the world number nine was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Monica Niculescu before losing 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to Halep.

Pliskova was able to hold her nerve against Niculescu in another three set match to level the scores ahead of the decisive doubles match, as she eventually triumphed 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

She then joined Barbora Strycova to win the doubles contest 6-2, 6-3 against Andreea Mitu and Raluca Olaru to seal her team’s progression to the semi-finals.

Russia’s hopes of reaching a second successive Fed Cup final were ended in the first round after they were beaten 3-1 by The Netherlands, with Kiki Bertens winning both her singles matches in straight sets for the Dutch team, 6-3, 6-4 against Ekaterina Makarova and 6-1, 6-4 against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

With Richel Hogenkamp having earned a 7-6, 5-7, 10-8 win in her singles match against Kuznetsova, the Dutch held an unassailable advantage but their opponents earned a consolation win after opting to play the doubles.

Kiki Bertens won both her singles matches to help The Netherlands beat 2015 runners-up Russia
Kiki Bertens won both her singles matches to help The Netherlands beat 2015 runners-up Russia ©Getty Images

Newly crowned Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber was unable to help Germany reach the semi-finals after her team fell to a 3-2 defeat to Switzerland, with Martina Hingis and Belinda Bencic winning the key doubles match in Leipzig.

The final first round tie saw France earn a 4-1 victory over Italy in Marseille, with Caroline Garcia winning both of her singles matches and the doubles with Kristina Mladenovic.

France will now host The Netherlands in the semi-finals, while the Czech Republic will travel to Switzerland for their tie.

Meanwhile, the four losing nations will now face World Group play-offs, with Russia, Italy, Germany and Australia having been named as the seed nations.

They will be drawn against either Belarus, Romania, Spain or the United States.