Czech Doubles Team Sets Davis Cup Record Win

Written by: Staff on 4th February 2013

Czech Doubles Team Sets Davis Cup Record Win

epa03565767 Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych (L) and Lukas Rosol (R) celebrate after winning their doubles match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka and Marco Chiudinelli at the Davis Cup World Group First Round tie between Switzerland and the Czech Republic in Geneva, Switzerland, 02 February 2013. EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI |

With the exception of Novak Djokovic, most of the world’s leading players opted against extending themselves in the weekend’s Davis Cup action, maintaining the fixtures came too close on the back of the Australian Open. But the Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych worked overtime to play the hero’s role for the defending champions in their win over Switzerland in Geneva.

With his title winning partner Radek Stepanek ruled out with a back condition that requires surgery, Berdych battled for seven hours and one minute alongside Lukas Rosol to secure a 6-4,5-7, 6-4,6-7,24-22 doubles victory.

The world no.6 had earlier scored a four sets win over 289th ranked Henri Laaksonen in the opening days singles and returned on the third rubber to clinch a first victory in the Czech’s title defense with a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6,7-6 3 triumph in the first reverse singles against Wawrinka.

Lesser competitors would doubtless have complained of fatigue but Berdych refused and praised the camaraderie and back up he got from his Czech phyisos. “This is a team event and the people we have in the team have magic hands,” he maintained. “They did a really great job and they told me I would be ready.”

Saturday’s win marked came in the longest Davis Cup doubles encounter in history and Berdych, who didn’t get to bed until 2am in the morning, admitted: “It was a very different to playing a long singles match.

“I have never played tennis that long. I like it because I now have a new experience.

“But going out to play the second day of singles wasn’t a problem. I was feeling good from the first point and was quite ready for a fifth set.”

For Wawrinka it was the second heartbreak in the space of a fortnight after losing the lengthy Australian Open fourth round encounter to eventual champion Djokovic 12-10 in the fifth set after more than four hours on court.

Wawrinka was distraught in defeat but with Roger Federer again absent from the `Swiss ranks, he felt an obligation to play. “It’s an important competition because you’re playing for your country,” he said. “I’m really proud to be here and to play.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Czech tennis news, Davis Cup, Lukas Rosol, Radek Stepanek, Sports, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych, Wawrinka