Radek Stepanek will lock horns with Nicolas Almagro in fifth rubber – Davis Cup WG Final
Czech number two, Radek Stepanek, will square off against the world number 11, Nicolas Almagro, in the fifth rubber at the Davis Cup World Group title-round. He suffered a straight set shocking defeat at the hands of David Ferrer while Almagro bowed out
to Tomas Berdych in their first singles rubber.
Stepanek will have a chance to redeem himself at this prestigious indoor hard court event held between countries. He suffered a 3-6, 4-6, 4-6 loss at the hands of the world number five in the opening rubber at his home soil. The Czech blames his lower first
serve share the reason of his loss.
The 33-year-old disappointedly stated in a courtside interview after bowing out to Ferrer:
“I don't remember when I served that many double faults in a match. I completely lost the timing on my serve. I couldn't put him under the pressure with the high percentage of the first serve, coming to the net, taking the activity, changing the rhythm.
When I played a lot of points from the second serve, his part of the game was more effective than mine because I had to risk the second serve to come to the net… That's why I always in every set felt behind. I played a better opponent today. He deservedly
won the match.”
Ranked 37th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Stepanek was playing his first competitive event in almost a month. He plonked just 51 per cent of points on his first serve and coughed five double faults in the opening set alone.
The world number 11, Almagro entered the O2 Arena in Prague in high spirit. He made a drastic start in front of a pessimist crowd and gifted away the opener. The Spaniard managed to level the set scores in the following set but trailed, again eventually
falling at 1-2 in the set scores.
The Spanish number three lost his opening serve in the fourth set. He remained focused and not only recovered in the sixth game but dominated in the tie-breaker, eventually pulling out the equaliser. As a result, Almagro raised his nation’s hope high for
capturing another Davis Cup title with ease. However, he lost the track again and ultimately bowed out to the Czech number one, Tomas Berdych, in three hours and 58 minutes.
Both contenders will take on each other for the fourth time with Stepanek leading in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series by 2-1 against the Spaniard. Almagro, however, conquered the Czech in their last battle at the Flushing
Meadows earlier this season.
Stepanek will be 34 later this month and is currently out of form. As a result, the Spanish number three is expected to clobber a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5(4) victory against the veteran.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: