Lopez Keeps Spanish Hopes Alive
Twenty-two-year old Feliciano Lopez kept Spanish hopes for this year’s Davis
Cup by BNP Paribas alive as he beat Czech youngster Tomas Berdych 63 67(2) 63
62.
"This is a great victory for me because it was my first Davis Cup singles match.
I was pretty surprised when I got nominated for Sunday’s first singles match,"
Lopez smiled after a match lasting 2 hours and 16 minutes.
The expected game between the number one players from the Czech Republic and
Spain did not happen in Brno. The Spanish captain chose Feliciano Lopez,
world-ranked 33, instead of Tommy Robredo because of tactics.
"The captain informed me about it already on Saturday evening. He knew that I
beat Novak twice last year. We expected Novak to play the first singles match
on Sunday but when we came to the locker room we found out that he is injured,"
Lopez commented.
The Czech captain, Cyril Suk, had to nominate 18-year-old Tomas Berdych,
world-ranked 98. Czech number one Jiri Novak was not able to play due to a
strained calf muscle.
"I am really sorry that I am not able to play," Novak said after his first-ever
withdrawal from a Davis Cup tie. He felt a pain in his calf muscle during the
third set of Saturday’s doubles.
"I was warmed up and so involved in the doubles match that I didn’t pay a lot
of attention to the muscle. But after the match when my body cooled down, the
pain started," he added. Team doctor Pavel Kolar tried to help him but finally
recommended that he didn’t play the match so Berdych played his second Davis
Cup singles match.
"Jiri tried to practise a little bit in the morning but unfortunately there
was no chance for him to play," the Czech Republic captain Cyril Suk said.
The left-handed Feliciano Lopez dominated the game from the beginning especially
thanks to his powerful service – he served 30 aces in the match, the fastest
at 220 km per hour. Berdych tried to fight in the rallies using his powerful
forehand but there were not many rallies especially in Lopez‘ service games.
The Spanish player was able to serve three aces per game several times.
Lopez was in control throughout the match – he broke Berdych’s service in
the second game of the third set and twice more in the fourth set.
"I felt pressure because my team was 1-2 down and it was up to me if we stay
alive or lose," Lopez admitted. "I didn’t know Berdych at all until January
when I saw a part of his match with Agassi during the Australian Open. I found
out that he has a powerfull serve," he admitted.
Lopez lost his 'bomb' serve just for a moment – in the second set tiebreaker
when he made two doublefaults.
"I was a little bit nervous in the match but I don’t think I was more nervous
in the tiebreaker. It is normal in tennis and especially when it is such an
important match," Lopez commented.
"It was difficult for me to play at home for the first time and especially
against the opponent whose game doesn’t suit me at all," Czech youngster
Tomas Berdych said.
The winner of the tie in Brno will play Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
原來是Novak受傷了...
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