Czechs record historic win in Davis Cup final

AP

PRAGUE IT’S a job for two when the Czechs win Davis Cup finals.

Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek gave the Czech Republic the title for the first time as an independent nation by beating Spain 3-2 in the final on Sunday. Each spent about 10 gruelling hours on court, playing the opening singles, teaming up for the doubles and then completing the reverse singles.

Ivan Lendl and Tomas Smid did the same when Czechoslovakia defeated Italy 4-1 in the 1980 final.

“They’ve been our inspiration, our idols. They’re the legends and now we’re joining them,” Stepanek said after clinching the title with a 6-4, 7-6 (0), 3-6, 6-3 upset victory over Nicolas Almagro in the last reverse singles.

Stepanek dropped to the court in disbelief before teammates Tomas Berdych, Lukas Rosol, Ivo Minar and captain Jaroslav Navratil jumped on him.

“I’m living a dream,” said Stepanek, who wept openly.

This is a moment we’ll never forget.” The Czechs’ 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.

“We’ve been dreaming about it since the series against Switzerland,” Stepanek said. “Whatever it takes in the Davis Cup, we’ll go through it.” Although Berdych rarely plays doubles, the two now have an excellent record of 12-1 in the Davis Cup.

On Sunday, the 37thranked Stepanek was the outsider against his 11th-ranked opponent. But he stuck to his attacking game on the fast indoor carpet at the O2 Arena, winning 41 points at the net.

“I was playing very aggressive today; I wanted be the one who is active, who is controlling the game,” Stepanek said. “It paid off, even though I lost the third set. I had no doubt I was on the way.”

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