Czech Republic became only the fifth country to successfully defend the Davis Cup title after beating Serbia 3-2 on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP
The 44th-ranked Stepanek beat world number 117 Lajovic 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 in an hour and 52 minutes, handing the Czechs an overall 3-2 win.
On the hardcourt of the Belgrade Arena, the Czech Republic, playing the third Davis Cup final in five years, scored a ninth straight victory in Davis Cup ties.
“I was under the biggest pressure that can be,” a jubilant Stepanek said after the game. “We are one of only five teams [that have defended the cup].”
Lajovic replaced 36th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic, out with a heel injury, while 2010 champions Serbia also missed 76th-ranked Viktor Troicki over a doping ban.
Lajovic enjoyed a few fine moments but he was inferior to Stepanek in every respect. Casting desperate looks around him he let his game crumble and allowed Stepanek to enjoy the ovations from a noisy group of Czechs in the sold-out arena.
“I knew I could use my experience from last year,” said Stepanek, who beat Nicolas Almagro in the decisive rubber for the 2012 trophy.
“I controlled the game except in the first game, and I played in the best form of my life the whole weekend.”
Earlier, Serbia’s world number two Novak Djokovic forced the decisive rubber as he beat seventh-ranked Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in two hours and 41 minutes for his 24th victory in a row.
A year ago, the Czechs beat Spain 3-2 in Prague for their first triumph as an independent country with Stepanek again winning the decisive final rubber.
Djokovic sees record streak as boost for 2014
Djokovic failed to lead Serbia to a Davis Cup triumph, but a streak of 24 straight victories left him upbeat for next season in which he vows to focus on Grand Slam titles.
The wins lifted Djokovic’s spirits after a season in which he won a single major — the Australian Open — and lost the top post in ATP rankings to Rafael Nadal.
“It’s an incredible number considering the fact that I lost three big matches in three months — Roland Garros [semi-finals], Wimbledon [final] and the US Open [final],” said Djokovic.
“But I managed to bounce back and managed to play my best tennis in the last two and a half months. I’m full of confidence on the court and hopefully I can carry that into the next season.
“My goal is to play my best tennis and to get in shape for the Grand Slams. These tournaments have the most weight, and I want to prove my worth at them.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2013.
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