Defending champions Spain will face the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final after decisively proving once again that there is life beyond Rafael Nadal.
The world No. 2 skipped this weekend’s semi-final win over Israel in Murcia after being forced to rest an abdominal strain picked up in his recent run to the US Open last four.
It was a familiar scenario for the Spanish who defeated Argentina in last year’s final without the six-time Grand Slam title winner, sidelined from that encounter because of a knee injury.
On Saturday, doubles pair Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez defeated Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 6-2 to give their team an unassailable 3-0 lead and a place in a seventh Davis Cup final.
In the Dec. 4 to Dec. 6 title match, which they will host, they’ll start overwhelming favorites to claim a fourth title having now won 17 straight Davis Cup home ties.
It will also give Spain captain Albert Costa a selection headache with Nadal and fellow top 10 player Fernando Verdasco, who was another semi-final absentee, likely to be fit.
“It was a question of taking our opportunities,” Robredo said. “The first two sets were very close, but then we played our best in the third and fourth sets.”
The Czechs, who opened up an unbeatable 3-0 lead over 2005 winners Croatia in Porec, will be playing in only their third final, and first since 1980 when they won their one and only title.
Spain had been 2-0 ahead overnight after David Ferrer had swept past Harel Levy 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 before Juan Carlos Ferrero, Nadal’s replacement, outclassed Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.
Lopez and Robredo won the first set on the tiebreak and even had two set points in the second before the Israeli doubles specialists leveled.
Erlich then needed treatment on an injured elbow at 1-1 in the fourth set before the Spanish duo romped to victory.
“That was the point that we lost the match,” Ram said. “Jonathan couldn’t serve his best, but it’s tough to beat Spain on clay, even if we were healthy.”
Costa dedicated the victory to a young woman who died in floods caused by a torrential storm in Murcia on Wednesday. A minute’s silence was observed in her memory before the start of Friday’s first singles.
The Czech Republic reached their first final in 29 years when Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Lovro Zovko and Marin Cilic 6-1, 6-3, 6-4, a welcome straight-sets win coming after Friday’s two marathon singles which had taken almost 10 hours to complete.
In 1975, Czechoslovakia were runners-up to Sweden and then in 1980, led by Ivan Lendl, they beat Italy to win their lone title.
“I am extremely proud of these boys, the whole team. For the first time since 1980 the Czechs are in the Davis Cup final, but I hope that this time we will hold this cup under under the Czech name,” coach Jaroslav Navratil said.
In 1980 the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The country split amicably into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 after the toppling of the communist regime in 1989.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely