Berdych Leads Czech Republic To Davis Cup Finals

Written by: Staff on 17th September 2012

Berdych Leads Czech Republic To Davis Cup Finals |

Barely a week after suffering the disappointment of losing out in the U.S. Open semi final, Tomas Berdych is now experiencing the elation of leading the Czech Republic into a surprise place in the Davis Cup final.

The towering world no.7 knew the Czech’s were the underdogs in the battle for a final place with last year’s runners-up Argentina and no visiting team had won the red clay of Buenos Aires’ Parque Roca for 14 years.

“We made it and that was the goal we brought in here, to try the almost impossible and try and win here,” said Berdych who was successful in Friday’s first singles rubber against Juan Monaco and then teamed up with Radek Stepanek to score another win in the doubles against Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank . “To win three points in three days, especially in this place, I just feel great.

“We were definitely not the favorites for the tie but it’s not important every time for my point of view. I was feeling really, really well coming from the States, playing the semifinals there beating Roger Federer, playing very close match against the winner of the US Open, Andy Murray, so I was feeling really good.

“I wanted to show it here that my game is on top and I can play well. I did it, won my two singles, made half a point in the doubles and that’s it, what we needed.”

Now the Czech’s go forward to meeting defending champion’s Spain who beat the United States on home soil in Gijon and are now aiming at a fourth title in five years. Berdych is undeterred and continued: “The whole team had that belief that we could make it. It’s not impossible to win in Argentina as we proved. That’s even better to win with such a crazy crowd in probably giving us so much for the future and I’m really excited to be in the final again.”

Juan Martin Del Potro’s inability to play the decisive fourth rubber because of a strained left wrist meant Carlos Berlocq was pressed into action and Berdych’s combination of power and resolve proved too much despite similar blustery conditions to those in which he lost eight days earlier in New York to eventual champion Andy Murray.

With Berdych in the team, the Czech Republic lost the 2009 final to Spain 5-0 in Barcelona. But looking forward to this year’s final, likely to be played in Prague, he insisted: “This is going to be the highlight of my career up until now. It is going to be very difficult playing against Spain, the champion, but at least we are lucky to be playing at home.”