 Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 11 Apr 2008 |
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| 11 Apr 2008 - RUS v CZE - Natalya Soboleva - Small Sports Arena "Luzhniki", Moscow | |
| Stepanek strikes back for Czechs |
The Czech Republic has levelled it Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Quarterfinal tie with Russia at one rubber apiece, after Radek Stepanek convincingly defeated Igor Andreev in straight sets.
Following Tomas Berdych's surprise defeat to Marat Safin in a thrilling five setter, Czech hopes lay with Stepanek to pull his side level before Saturday's doubles. Revenge was on the Czech player’s mind coming into the tie. He was part of the side that lost to Russia in the World Group first round just over five years ago. That wasn't a happy occasion for Stepanek at the Palac Kultury in Ostrava, as he lost both his singles matches and his team was narrowly defeated 3-2.
“It was a long time ago, I was playing in my first ever Davis Cup tie, and was up against Mikhail Youzhny and Nikolay Davydenko, who've both turned out to be two of the world's best players,” said the Czech No. 2.
Stepanek rarely troubled
On paper, the match promised to be a very even encounter, with only one place separating the two players in the world rankings, who are both happiest playing on clay. It was Stepanek who enjoyed the better start. He looked more comfortable from the baseline, and moved effectively into the net. Andreev, who had already played three tournaments on clay this year, struggled to get into the match. Too often he failed to put enough pressure on his opponent, as Stepanek was rarely troubled on his own service. The Czech broke Andreev midway through the first set, and there was no way back for the Russian as Stepanek took it 6-3 in just over half an hour.
The second set was similar to the first, with Stepanek again in control. Andreev was able to cut down on his unforced error count, but too often failed to see out his own service games. That lack of concentration allowed the Czech to break twice and put himself into a commanding two sets to love lead.
“His serve was great, I really didn't have a lot of chances on the return - just a few breakpoints which is, of course, too little for three sets,” said Andreev.
“I had the match under control” – Stepanek
Stepanek was just a set away from drawing his side level in the tie and was determined lightning wouldn't strike twice, with Berdych's defeat still fresh in his mind. A break midway through the third set was all he needed, as Andreev's unforced error count increased as he desperately sought a way back into the match. Stepanek clinched the third set 6-4 on his fourth match point to claim a vital victory for his side, and bring them right back into this tie - a memorable victory for Stepanek, which will go some way to exorcising the ghosts of Ostrava in 2003:
Saturday sees the doubles rubber with Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny scheduled to face Lukas Dlouhy and Pavel Vizner although these nominations can be changed up to an hour before play starts tomorrow (1000 GMT).
Related Links on other websites
> Information in Russian - RTF
> Information in Czech - CTA
Related Links on Daviscup.com
> Tie Information
> Scorecards and stats from this tie
> Extraordinary win for Safin
> Safin picked for singles
Related Audio
 Interview with Igor Andreev (RUS) - day 1
Interview with Radek Stepanek (CZE) - day 1
 
If you cannot hear the audio, then please update your media player by following one of the links above.
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