Radek Stepanek Wins Deciding Rubber In Davis Cup Final

Written by: Staff on 19th November 2012

Radek Stepanek Wins Deciding Rubber In Davis Cup Final

epa03476734 Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic returns the ball to Nicolas Almagro od Spain during their match of the Davis Cup final between the Czech Republic and Spain in Prague, Czech Republic, 18 November 2012. EPA/FILIP SINGER |

Radek Stepanek struck an historic blow for both the history of Czech tennis and those who insist there is still a place for the veterans in top-flight sport as he became the oldest man in the modern era to win the crucial fifth rubber to clinch the Davis Cup final.

Stepanek ranked no.37 in the world at singles and looking squarely at his 34th birthday in just eight days time, scored a 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory over 11th ranked Nicolas Almagro to wrench the Davis Cup out of Spain’s grasp and spark the biggest Davis Cup celebrations in Prague since 1980.

“It’s amazing for such a small country,” said a breathless but emotional Stepanek after recovering from being buried by his team-mates in the middle of the court after Almagro had hit a final forehand into the net. “I’ve been dreaming about something like this all of my life.’

“I came onto the court with the mindset that I had to stay calm, and I did that well today. My plan was to play aggressive and I stuck to it. This was the best moment of my career.”

Once again Stepanek and Tomas Berdych shouldered the brunt of the work for Jaroslav Navratil’s Czech team, playing both singles and doubles. “I’m living a dream,” maintained the title winner. “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 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 rubber 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. I was playing very aggressive today; I wanted be the one who is active, who is controlling the game. It paid off, even though I lost the third set. I had no doubt I was on the way.”

And there is no letting up for Stepanek who last week reached the doubles semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals alongside 39 year –old Leander Paes. “It was an important moment and gives us a great motivation for the next season,” he maintained.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Czech tennis news, Davis Cup Finals, Nicolas Almagro, Radek Stepanek, Sports, Tennis News