Tomas Berdych downs Simone Bolelli in the opening round – Davis Cup WG 2012: Czech vs. Italy
Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic gave his country a 2-0 lead when he defeated Simone Bolelli of Italy in four sets 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the first round of World Group, Davis Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic on Friday.
Berdych and Bolelli did not allow each other to break serve many times in the second rubber of the tie. In the first set, they held their serve in the opening five games to take the score to 3-2 in the Czech’s favour. Berdych
broke the Italian in the sixth game to claim a 4-2 lead. He capitalised on the only break of serve to capture the set 6-3.
The second set also saw both players holding their serve comfortably. Berdych and Bolelli failed to break each other in the first nine games. At last, it was Bolelli who got the breakthrough, winning Berdych’s serve in the
tenth game to seal the set 6-4.
The proceedings in the third set were not much different from the opening two sets, as Berdych and Bolelli held their serve in the first ten games to tie the score at 5-5. The Czech broke Bolelli in the 11th game
and capitalised on the single break of serve to claim the set 7-5.
Berdych took an early lead in the fourth set, breaking the Italian in the opening game and holding his serve in the second to go ahead 2-0. The Czech kept the winning momentum on his side, breaking Bolelli in the fifth game
and holding his next serve to take a 5-1 lead. Berdych served out the set in the tenth game without dropping a single point, winning it 6-2.
With this win, Berdych improved to a 9-1 win-loss record in this season. The Czech lost to Rafael Nadal in four sets 7-6(5), 6-7(6), 4-6, 3-6 in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. The 6ft 5in tall, Berdych, defeated
Gael Monfils of France in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the final of the Open Sud de France.
Earlier, Czech tennis ace, Radek Stepanek, defeated Andreas Seppi of Italy in five sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to give Czech Republic a 1-0 lead.
The Czech pair of Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Rosol will take on the Italian duo of Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace in the doubles match on Saturday.
If Czech team fails to win the doubles match, reverse singles will be played on Sunday.
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