France and Belarus are in command of their Fed Cup first-round ties while defending champions the Czech Republic and Romania split their opening singles matches.

Australian Open semifinalist 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 United States, 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.

In Liege, Caroline Garcia returned to the Fed Cup for the first time since the 2016 final to overcome Alison Van Uytvanck 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-2 and give France the first point against Belgium.

Alize Cornet made it 2-0 after defeating Elise Mertens 7-6 (7-6) 6-2.

Belarus, finalists in 2017, took control in Braunschweig after Aliaksandra Sasnovich beat Tatjana Maria 7-6 (7-3) 6-3, and 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 the last World Group tie, 2018 finalists the United States, led by Madison Keys are down 1-0 to visitors Australia, led by Ashleigh Barty.