Berdych Leads Czechs Into Semis; Del Potro Clinches For Argentina

Written by: Staff on 8th April 2012

Berdych Leads Czechs Into Semis; Del Potro Clinches For Argentina |

by ATP Staff

Original link: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/04/14/Davis-Cup-Quarterfinals-Sunday-Argentina-Croatia-Serbia-Czech-Republic.aspx

A round-up of the two Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group quarter-final ties on Sunday.

CZECH REPUBLIC 4, SERBIA 1
Clay, Indoors – Prague, Czech Republic

World No. 7 Tomas Berdych led the Czech Republic into the Davis Cup semi-finals after winning his third match of the weekend on Sunday. Having won in singles on Friday and teamed with Radek Stepanek for victory on Saturday, the 26 year old gave his team an unassailable 3-1 lead by edging Janko Tipsarevic 7-6(6), 7-6(6), 7-6(7).

Berdych improved to a 33-12 overall Davis Cup record as he held his nerve to close out the decisive victory in three hours and 45 minutes. Each player broke serve four times, but it was Berdych who had the edge in the tie-breaks. Two days earlier, Tipsarevic had saved three match points to beat Stepanek and give the visiting Serbian team a foothold in the tie.

Lukas Rosol rounded out the tie by defeating Viktor Troicki 7-6(5), 7-5.

The Czech Republic is bidding to win the Davis Cup title for the first time since 1980 and will continue its quest with a semi-final clash away to Argentina.

ARGENTINA 3, CROATIA 1
Clay, Outdoors – Buenos Aires, Argentina

World No. 10 Juan Martin del Potro was in dominant form as he defeated Marin Cilic 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 to give Argentina a clinching 3-1 lead over Croatia in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. The Argentine No. 1 converted eight of 16 break points and committed less than half of the 56 unforced errors that came from Cilic’s racquet. Juan Monaco wrapped up proceedings with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Antonio Veic.

“It’s always amazing when you win a match and get the victory to go through,” said del Potro. “We have a good team this year to fight for the Davis Cup and all the team are happy for this weekend. Of course he was tired, but he was ready to play and he’s a very good professional. But I was focussed on my game, on my work, and I played a very good game today.”

Cilic was competing in his third match of the weekend after coming through two five-set epics on Friday and Saturday. He edged David Nalbandian in five hours and nine minutes on Day 1, before partnering Ivo Karlovic in a doubles defeat that lasted four hours and 59 minutes.

Argentina reached the Davis Cup final last year, falling to Spain on clay in Seville. It is the only nation to have reached four Davis Cup finals and not triumphed. For a place in another final, Argentina will host the Czech Republic in September.

Topics: Davis Cup