Czech Republic squad banking on the home advantage and
crowd support for the Davis Cup – Tennis News
Czech Republic squad is banking on the home advantage and crowd support to beat the more talented and enriched team of Spain in the final of the Davis Cup tournament that starts on November 16th at Prague. Spain are
the defending champions but are highly depleted by the blow of injury to the former world number one, Rafael Nadal, who is sidelined since the second round exit from Wimbledon. He is not going to take part in the final tie. In his absence, the fifth ranked
David Ferrer will take charge and lead a versatile and immensely skilful squad consisting of the 11th ranked Nicolas Almagro and the Barclays Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour Finals Champions, Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez.
At the other side of the court will be the sixth ranked Tomas Berdych who will be accompanied by the 37th ranked Radek Stepanek for the singles as well as doubles Round Rubbers. Lukas Rosol and Ivo Minar will be in the
squad as the substitute players and take part in the contest if an injury is incurred to any of their prime representatives.
As far as the head-to-head stats between the two countries are concerned, Spain leads it by 4 ties to 2 but considering the home advantage and local crowd support for the Czech squad, it will be a massive contest. Stepanek and
Berdych are unbeaten in the doubles Round Rubbers of the Davis Cup ties since the start of this year edition of the tournament.
There are a lot of positives to be taken from the overall performance of the Czech squad in the current season’s Davis Cup edition. Stepanek said, “Our fans are in the winning mood and we hope that we can leave this arena in the
same way (as the Fed Cup team).”
Ferrer is also looking to bank on his stupendous achievements in the current season; won seven titles including his first thousand Masters trophy at the BNP Paribas Open at Paris. He said, “I'm very confident with my game.” He
also defeated Stepanek in an epic five-setter when they contested the final of the Davis Cup in 2009. He stated about that accomplishment, “It was one of the best moments of my career.”
Remembering the final of Davis Cup in Barcelona 2009, Stepanek said, “The final in Barcelona (in 2009) was a great experience for us that we can learn from. Our two biggest advantages are that we have a choice of the surface and
we have our fans behind us. And certainly, they miss Nadal.”
It is going to an enthralling year-end contest and probably leaves us with some good memorable moments that will lead up to the New Year.
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