Stepanek Stuns Spain In Davis Cup Thriller

Spain’s depth of world class players in men’s tennis proved not enough to claim a second successive Davis cup, as they were denied by an energetic Czech Republic team in front of their home fans at a deafening O2 area in Prague.

The anticipated final came down to the deciding 5^th rubber, where against all odds Czech number two Radek Stepanek produced one of the match’s of his life to see off Spain’s Nicolas Almagro ranked 26 places above him.

Stepanek was the better player on the day

At 33 this was probably going to be one of Stepanek’s last chances to play in such a big occasion, but  the Czech more than rose to it with a 6-4 7-6(0) 4-6 6-3 victory over Almagro and while Czechoslovakia won the title in 1980, this was the Czech Republic's first victory as an independent nation.

At home the Czech’s held a 2-1 lead going in to the final day’s plays but the Spanish were soon level thanks David Ferrer, convincingly beating Tomas Berdych 6-2 6-3 7-5 to force a final match.

 Six year younger Almagro went into the decider as the clear favorite  but nerves were sure to play a significant factor. Despite looking the more likely to clinch the opening break the Spaniard struggled to find his best tennis at the start, as Stepanek continued to approach the net asking questions of his opponent’s passing shots.

Serving first Stepanek always had his nose in front in the first set, while Almagro struggled with his execution making numerous errors. The Czech crowd started to believe in the tenth game when Stepanek’s aggressive returns brought a set point which was taken immediately.

The second set proved pivotal, as Almagro started to play more freely, before steeling a break in the fifth game. However just when the match seemed to be turning Stepanek struck back, as a combination of the Czechs pressure and nervy errors from Almagro helped recover the break leveling at 4-4.

The set headed for a tie break where again Stepanek surprisingly dominated from the baseline, as he raced through the breaker without dropping a point, by far the more focused and relaxed of the two.

With nothing to lose Almagro again loosened up in the third set, reading the Czech’s game better than before playing his best tennis of the match.

Despite chances Stepanek failed to convert any of three break points in the opening game of the set, before Almagro made the breakthrough.

A single break of serve was enough for Almagro to take the third set, but with the crowd still right behind him Stepanek was still in the ascendancy  Back in the match, the pressure again hindered Almagro as Stepanek raced into a 3-0 lead at the start of the fourth.

Interference from the animated crowd frustrated the Spanish camp, but Stepanek always remained calm retaining the break as he converted his second match point to the eruption of noise from the 13,000 Czech fans.

Brave Britain Fall Short To Belgium

Every sportsman dreams of being their country’s hero, and twenty-one year David Goffin had the chance to be just that. When he guided Belgium’s Davis Cup team to a world group play off, sealing victory over Great Britain at the Braehead Arena.

With world number four Andy Murray again absent from the British line up, it was always going to be an uphill task against a higher ranked Belgium team containing two top hundred players. It was another step up for GB Captain Leon Smith, as he watched the experience of Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus narrowly prevail over Josh Goodall and Dan Evans in Friday’s singles,giving the visitors a commanding lead after day one

Established doubles duo of Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins had kept the tie alive on Saturday, after overcoming Ruben Bemelmans and debutant Goffin, and after news of Rochus’s withdrawal through injury Britain again believed they could cause an upset. 

     

A tough day for Goodall in his second davis cup tie

Despite this Goffin was still ranked 144 places ahead of opponent Josh Goodall, and the Belgium player looked the more confident from the start by intimidating his opponent’s serve clinching the early break.

Goffin who recently qualified for the Miami masters last month, then continued to show his potential dictating the play and taking time away from Goodall, before taking the opening set by six games to four.

 

A controversial line call in the first game of the second set saved Goodall from another early break, as his dangerous serve stayed beneath its best. But Goffin unfazed by the occasion never showed his lack of experience, as he broke just two games later to silence of the flat Braehead crowd.

Goodall running out of ideas, tried to mix up his game by coming to the net. But his inspired opponent answered everything he threw at him, while his big serving came to his rescue on Goodall’s few break points.

The Brit was again forced to save break points at the start of the third, but Goffin once more broke in game three of the set and looked to be on his way to the victory. But Goodall still had the energy for one last push, breaking straight back before saving six break points and hang on to the tie.

However Goffin once again regained momentum, as he saw out the match 6-4 6-4 6-4 to move Belgium into a world group play off. Britain will remain in group 1 but can take real promise away from this tie, after pushing Belgium all the way producing some highly entertaining tennis.

              Results

                         Friday 6^th April

S Darcis (Bel) bt J Goodall (GB)   6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 6-4

O Rochus (Bel) bt D Evans (GB)   3-6 6-4 7-6(7) 6-4 

                        Saterday 7^th April

C Fleming and R Hutchins (GB) bt R Bemelmans and D Goffin (Bel)   4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4

                     Sunday 8^th April

D Goffin (Bel) bt J Goodall (GB)   6-4 6-4 6-4

R Bemelmans (Bel) bt D Evans (GB)   6-4 6-4

Evans carries GB to Davis Cup victory

Dan Evans finally came of age on Sunday, after he held his nerve to carry team GB to Davis Cup glory over Slovakia. Evans in only his 3^rd ever Davis cup tie had breezed through the first 2 sets in under an hour against Martin Klizan ranked 156 places ahead of him. However a lapse in concentration and an improved opponent nearly allowed the match to slip away, but the determined Brit dug deep to claim his second scalp in three days with a score of 6-1 6-1 4-6 3-6 6-3.

Evans had started the match much the brighter player, putting his nerves to one side to throw his higher ranked opponent. Klizan on the back of victory over James Ward on Friday looked lost from the off, as a combination of errors and inspired play from Evans left the Slovakian trailing a double break. A dream start for Britain saw their man comfortably see out the first set 6-1 with Klizan stunned by the one sided score line.

The second set picked up where the fist left off, as Evans was again quick to seize an advantage with another early break. Klizan remained clueless and had no response to Evans variety of shots, with his aggressive return of serve and faultless net play concluding in another one side set to put Britain in full control.  

However missed opportunities at the start of the third set proved costly; as an improved Klizan found the form which helped him become a top 100 player.Dispite this Evans continued to be positive and responded to any deficits he faced, as both players established a good rhythm on serve. But at 4-4 the errors crept in to the Evans game, as the match was quickly turned to see Klizan half the deficit.

Now inspired Klizan took no time in snatching a break in the fourth, as the Brit’s hard work was then cancelled out. An early break making the difference producing a decider. But then it was Evans who rediscovered his form, as improved serving allowed him to regain a foot hold in the match. The Slovakian now favourite to take the victory could do nothing, as Evans took his chance with tremendous returning to break serve and again take momentum. Klizan then couldn’t reply, as a determined effort saw Evans close out the match with an almighty effort. 

The victory for Evans off the back of a straight sets win over Lukas Lacko guiding his country to victory with two crucial rubbers. The other win coming from doubles pairing Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming yesterday while James Ward was unfortunate as he  failed to win either of his matches against Lacko or Klizan. A big win for Britain and captain Leon Smith who remains unbeaten while in charge despite the absence of Andy Murray. The victory now sets up a tie with Belgium on the 6^th of April to progress to the world group play offs.