Tennis: Czechs out to avenge Spain

Rory McIlroy begins the defence of his UBS Hong Kong Open crown today.

PRAGUE: The Czech Republic will aim to avenge a humiliating 5-0 defeat in the 2009 Davis Cup final when they take on holders Spain in this year’s climax starting tomorrow. World number six Tomas Berdych and 37th-ranked Radek Stepanek are due to face David Ferrer, who is fifth in the rankings, and 11th-ranked Nicolas Almagro in the singles. Berdych maintained that a lack of experience had hurt the Czechs back in 2009. “It was the first final we ever played,” said Berdych. “I hope all the differences that we see as pros will make it easier for us to win three points.” The 100th edition of the Davis Cup final will be played in front of almost 14,000 people — a crowd that pushed the Czech women’s team to a Fed Cup defence following a final victory over Serbia on the first weekend in November.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2012.