Berdych Is Facing A Major Challenge This Weekend

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 15th November 2013

Berdych Is Facing A Major Challenge This Weekend

epa03941860 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during his two set to one loss to Spain's Rafael Nadal during a singles Barclays ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 08 November 2013. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Tomas Berdych is a veteran of 25 previous Davis Cup ties spreading back more than ten years and the Czech no.1 knows he is in for a demanding weekend of his nation is to retain the trophy even though Serbia is fielding a depleted team.

Berdych appreciates he will have to play on all three days of competition in Belgrade, and as is so often the case he regards tomorrow’s doubles confrontation as the pivotal rubber of the tie.

Although the Serbia duo remains unclear, with many expecting Novak Djokovic to team up with doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic, the Czechs are guaranteed to couple Berdych with veteran Radek Stepanek.

The pair will be seeking their 14th win in 15 Davis Cup doubles rubbers together and Berdych is fully aware how crucial it will be. “That’s definitely the most important point,” said the 28 year-old world no.7 of the doubles rubber. “It’s been one of the most important points that we’ve earned in many ties in the past and there will be no exception this time.”

Berdych and Stepanek’s only defeat together in Davis Cup came against Spain’s Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco on clay in the 2009 Davis Cup Final. “We have only lost just one match in 14,” he confirmed.

“We’re going to try and continue with that. We both know each other well on court. That’s why the results are great. We are both great singles players. We have many experiences in doubles, especially in Davis Cup, so I think these are the positive things that can help us to go through again.”

The Czechs received a timely boost with the news their captain Jaroslav Navratil had been released from hospital after suffering a pulmonary embolism. However Navratil is not well enough to attend the tie and stand-in Vladimir Safarik will continue in a temporary captain’s role.

Safarik commented: “It’s completely different for me. I was always in the office or behind the bench so this is something new.

“I’m happy to be here as a captain of course. I will support the team, I will protect the team but on the other hand I need the support from them. It’s a job we have to do together and it’s an honor for me to be here.

“We will fight really hard this weekend and we will do our best. I’m proud of my team. We are defending champion and we want to do everything possible to have the trophy back at home.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Davis Cup, Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco, Novak Djokovic, Radek Stepanek, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych