Champions the Czech Republic have split their opening Fed Cup singles matches with Romania, while Belarus lead Germany 2-0.

Australian Open semi-finalist Karolina Pliskova won the first point for the Czechs after easing past Mihaela Burzanescu 6-1 6-4 on an indoor hard-court in Ostrava on Saturday.

But Simona Halep won the second singles by routing Katerina Siniakova, the star of last year’s final against the US, 6-4 6-0.

Pliskova and Halep, both former world No.1s, will meet in the key first reverse singles on Sunday.

Romania have never beaten the Czechs, or been past the Fed Cup quarter-finals.

Belarus, finalists in 2017, were in command in Braunschweig after Aliaksandra Sasnovich beat Tatjana Maria 7-6 (7-3) 6-3, while Aryna Sabalenka dispatched Andrea Petkovic 6-2 6-1.

Belrarus are one win away from avenging losing to Germany 3-2 last year in Minsk.

In Liege, France are leading host Begium 1-0. Caroline Garcia, returning to the Fed Cup for the first time since the 2016 final, overcame Alison Van Uytvanck 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-2.

Alize Cornet was facing Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the second singles.

In the last World Group tie, 2018 finalist the United States led by Madison Keys faced Australia led by Ashleigh Barty later in Asheville.