 Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 08 Mar 2009 |  Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 10 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 20 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Sergio Carmona
Date: 18 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 18 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 19 Sep 2009 |
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| 18 Nov 2009 | |
| Road to Barcelona |
Spain and Czech Republic have gone about their business rather differently to reach this year’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Barcelona.
Spain has demonstrated its phenomenal strength in depth by using a total of six players - who all played in live rubbers - in the first three rounds. Spain currently has 11 players ranked inside the world’s Top 75.
Czech Republic, meanwhile, has relied on the services of Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych, with a cameo appearance from Ivo Minar. Three other players - Jan Hajek, Jan Hernych and Lukas Dlouhy - have also appeared in dead rubbers.
Home sweet home for Spain
Spain has enjoyed the luxury of playing all its ties at home in 2009. For any other nation, this would give a slight advantage, benefitting from the choice of court surface and support of a partisan crowd. For the Spanish, however, it makes them almost unbeatable.
Spain’s last defeat at home - and also the last time it lost on clay - came in 1999 when Brazil were the visitors for a World Group first round tie. With the legendary Gustavo ‘Guga’ Kuerten in their ranks, the Brazilians escaped with a 3-2 victory – the three-time Roland Garros champion won all of his rubbers.
This year, Spain eased past Serbia 4-1 in the opening round but was made to work much harder in the quarterfinals. Germany was the opposition and, with the score standing at 2-2, Costa made the inspired decision to bring back Juan Carlos Ferrero for his first appearance in four years. The former world No. 1 did not disappoint, rolling back the years to defeat Andreas Beck 64 64 64.
The semifinals saw the debut of Israel at this stage of the competition. But, despite their best efforts, the Israelis were no match for Spain who clinched a routine 4-1 win.
Czech mates battle through
Czech Republic can look back to the World Group Play-offs in 2007 as a turning point in its recent Davis Cup history. The occasion marked the return of Stepanek after a three-year absence – a significant moment as he has formed the foundation, along with Berdych, of his nation’s Davis Cup campaign.
Facing Switzerland, who had both Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka in its ranks, Stepanek played through the pain barrier in the deciding rubber to retain Czech Republic’s place in the World Group. He was leading by two sets against Wawrinka when a knee injury looked like jeopardising his chances. The experienced 30-year-old, however, showed his commitment and determination, battling on to win 76 64 76.
This year, Czech Republic has overcome some top opposition en route to the Final. France and Argentina were despatched first – both played at home in Ostrava, both defeated 3-2.
In the semifinals, a trip to Porec to face Croatia, the 2005 champion, resulted in ten sets being contested on the opening day. Stepanek got the Czechs off to a winning start, fighting past Ivo Karlovic 67 76 76 67 1614 in nearly six hours. Then Berdych defeated Marin Cilic 63 63 36 46 63 before the pair teamed up to win the decisive doubles rubber in straight sets.
The 2009 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final between Spain and Czech Republic will take at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, on 4-6 December.
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