Djokovic, Stepanek to open Davis Cup final
Tennis players to represent Serbia, Czech Republic respectively.
Both Serbia and the Czech Republic will be looking to lift the Davis Cup trophy for a second time. PHOTO: AFP
BELGRADE:
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic will face Radek Stepanek of holders Czech Republic in the opening rubber of the Davis Cup final starting today in Belgrade, following Thursday’s draw.
Djokovic, the world number two, will face 44th-ranked Stepanek on the hardcourt surface at the Belgrade Arena.
The Serb illustrated how determined he is to beat the defending champions in his home city.
“God knows if we’re going to have as a country another opportunity like this to win a Davis Cup title at home,” said the 26-year-old, whose country won its only Davis Cup title in 2010 beating France 3-2 also in Belgrade.
“We have very tough opponents... but the Davis Cup is the only team competition in our sport that brings the best possible energy and willpower in me,” he added.
After that, Dusan Lajovic of Serbia will take on Tomas Berdych. Lajovic has replaced Janko Tipsarevic, the world number 36, who has been ruled out with a heel injury.
In Saturday’s doubles, Serbia’s Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic are due to face the Czech Republic’s Jan Hajek and Lukas Rosol.
But the Czechs are almost certain to bet on Berdych and Stepanek for the doubles too as the two have lost only one of their 14 Davis Cup doubles rubbers together since teaming up in 2007.
In Sunday’s reverse singles, Djokovic will face Berdych and Lajovic will then take on Stepanek.
The Czechs lifted the trophy last year after downing Spain 3-2 in Prague.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2013.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic will face Radek Stepanek of holders Czech Republic in the opening rubber of the Davis Cup final starting today in Belgrade, following Thursday’s draw.
Djokovic, the world number two, will face 44th-ranked Stepanek on the hardcourt surface at the Belgrade Arena.
The Serb illustrated how determined he is to beat the defending champions in his home city.
“God knows if we’re going to have as a country another opportunity like this to win a Davis Cup title at home,” said the 26-year-old, whose country won its only Davis Cup title in 2010 beating France 3-2 also in Belgrade.
“We have very tough opponents... but the Davis Cup is the only team competition in our sport that brings the best possible energy and willpower in me,” he added.
After that, Dusan Lajovic of Serbia will take on Tomas Berdych. Lajovic has replaced Janko Tipsarevic, the world number 36, who has been ruled out with a heel injury.
In Saturday’s doubles, Serbia’s Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic are due to face the Czech Republic’s Jan Hajek and Lukas Rosol.
But the Czechs are almost certain to bet on Berdych and Stepanek for the doubles too as the two have lost only one of their 14 Davis Cup doubles rubbers together since teaming up in 2007.
In Sunday’s reverse singles, Djokovic will face Berdych and Lajovic will then take on Stepanek.
The Czechs lifted the trophy last year after downing Spain 3-2 in Prague.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2013.