Czech Republic Claims 2012 Davis Cup Title

November 19, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek gave the Czech Republic the 2012 Davis Cup title for the first time as an independent nation by beating Spain 3-2 in the finals. Each spent about 10 grueling hours on court, playing the opening singles, teaming up for the doubles and then completing the reverse singles. After the win, Stepanek dropped to the court in disbelief as teammates Tomas Berdych, Lukas Rosol, Ivo Minar and captain Jaroslav Navratil jumped on him. Stepanek clinched the title with a 6-4, 7-6 (0), 3-6, 6-3 upset victory over Nicolas Almagro in the last reverse singles.

”I’m living a dream,” said Stepanek. ”We have been working very hard very hard for this moment. It was the biggest pressure under which I’ve ever played. Everything was at stake.”

The Czech quest for the Davis Cup began in the 2007 World Cup playoff against Switzerland in Prague, with Stepanek and Berdych teaming up in doubles against Roger Federer and Yves Allegro. The pair saved a match point before going on to win the match and ultimately the series, starting the journey to this title. The Czechs beat Italy, Serbia and Argentina en route to the final. Spain, without the injured Rafael Nadal, had been looking for its sixth title.
 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
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