Karolína Plíšková, a semi-finalist at last month's Australian Open, put the hosts in front with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 victory over Mihaela Buzărnescu at the Ostravar Arena.

Plíšková's win gave Katerina Siniakova the chance to move the Czechs to the brink of the next round but she was outclassed by world number three Simona Halep.

The Romanian won seven games in a row as she dispatched Siniakova 6-4, 6-0.

The results leave the contest tentatively poised going into tomorrow's encounter between Plíšková and Halep, both ranked among the top five in the world.

"Of course, I’m excited - but I can’t afford to get over-excited," said Plíšková.

"There’s going to be a chance for both of us, never mind what happened in the past. 

"I just have it in my head that I beat her [in the Fed Cup three years ago] when we won."

Belarus are favourites to qualify after they stunned hosts Germany by winning both singles rubbers at the Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig in Braunschweig.

Aliaksandra Sasnovich gave Belarus the perfect start when she defeated Tatjana Maria 7-6, 6-3.

Aryna Sabalenka then completed an ideal day for the visiting team as she thrashed Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-1.

France also have a 2-0 advantage after the opening day as they dominated their encounter with Belgium at the Country Hall du Sart-Tilman in Liège.

Caroline Garcia proved too strong for Alison Van Uytvanck in the first rubber, securing a 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 win.

Alize Cornet ensured France would go into day two with a lead as she beat Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-2.

The tie between Australia and the United States is also level following victories for both teams in the singles rubbers.

Ashleigh Barty put the Australian side ahead with a 6-1, 7-6 win over Sofia Kenin before the Americans restored parity thanks to Madison Keys' 6-2, 6-2 triumph against Kimberly Birrell.

All four World Group encounters are scheduled to conclude tomorrow.