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9/18/10 10:53 PM | Ricky Dimon
Tomas Berdych can put the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final for a second straight year on Sunday. His opponent is either Novak Djokovic or Viktor Troicki.
The Czech Republic is one point away from a second consecutive trip to the Davis Cup final after winning the critical doubles rubber on Saturday afternoon. Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek overcame a slow start to dominate Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-1.
With a 2-1 semifinal lead in hand, Berdych has a chance to send the Czechs through on Sunday. He is currently scheduled to go up against Troicki, but he is expected to face Djokovic.
Djokovic, suffering from gastroenteritis just four days after losing to Rafael Nadal in the U.S. Open title match, was replaced by Troicki in Friday's singles. The lower-ranked Serb fell to Stepanek in four sets before Janko Tipsarevic upset Berdych.
Based on comments made by Zimonjic following Saturday's rubber, Djokovic will get the nod. "Maybe it wasn't a bad idea that (Djokovic) played today. He's had some match time, which could help him tomorrow."
Djokovic and Berdych have squared off three times in their careers, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head series 2-1. However, they most recently faced each other in the Wimbledon semis and Berdych cruised 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3.
Still, Berdych is not in the same kind of form that took him to the Wimbledon final and the French Open semis. Coming off a great performance in New York and armed with home-court advantage, Djokovic has to be considered a big favorite in this one. The world No. 2's health, however, is the one real question mark.
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Djokovic ISN'T the favorite if he is not healthy
RickyDimon , 9/19/10 3:21 PM
Djokovic is receiving treatment to his knee after a fall chasing a ball from Berdy.
nadline , 9/19/10 3:25 PM
hope he recovers well but surely that isn't his only health problem for this match. and indeed health isn't his only problem for this match... tough one! czechs have great confidence in dc
croc , 9/19/10 3:37 PM
set Djokovic, 1-1
RickyDimon , 9/19/10 3:54 PM
well that point was unreal
Djoker again 2 breaks up in the 3rd
RickyDimon , 9/19/10 4:29 PM
Well Nole is producing... 2:1 in sets for serbia...
I hope Tipsy is warming up:))))
zare , 9/19/10 4:34 PM
Ohhh I like this... Tomas is playing 10 wonderful shoots and still lose the point...
Nole is catching everything ...defends marvelously and then out of nowhere ...BANG ... here comes the winner!!!
Nole so full of confidence... and crowd love it....
AJDE SERBIAAAAA!!!!!!!
zare , 9/19/10 4:39 PM
he breaks.....VAMOS NOLE!!!
vrael , 9/19/10 5:20 PM
CONGRATULATIONS SERBIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
vrael , 9/19/10 5:28 PM
Congratulations to Djokovic's fans on his win over Berdych !
Augustina08 , 9/19/10 5:28 PM
tipsy-step is tough to call! they're both good in these kinds of situations and one of them will be a DC hero today!
stu , 9/19/10 5:50 PM
stu, tipsa is already a hero from the friday session ;)
rfzr , 9/19/10 5:58 PM
Congrats Nole, he certainly lives up to expectations. Well done, now he can take a good rest. Tipsy playing well now I think, couldn't watch the match, just looking at the score board.
luckystar , 9/19/10 6:16 PM
Wow! Nole's on the crest of a wave...:)
deuce , 9/19/10 7:20 PM
Tipsarevic is a ROCKSTAR!
stu , 9/19/10 7:36 PM
Tipsa has 2 breaks in 3rd...4:0...
...ok... 4:1... two more service games and Tsonga & co are coming to Belgrade...
AJDE JANKOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
zare , 9/19/10 8:01 PM
...well it's 4:3 for tipsy now... they are getting nervous, both of them...
VAMOS JANKOOOOOO!!!!
zare , 9/19/10 8:13 PM
phew. glad to see tipsarevic follow up a big win :)
stu , 9/19/10 8:29 PM
YEEEESSSSSSSS.... YEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!
Nous vous attendons!!! Bienvenue au Serbie!!!!
ALEEEEZZ...JANKO... NOVAK... VIKTOR... ZIMONJIC... WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOU!!!
zare , 9/19/10 8:36 PM
a big win for the serbian team, congrats.
rfzr , 9/19/10 8:44 PM
it's funny the way this tie turned out. I was sure the Serbians would win the doubles, and that Novak would beat Stepanek. i thought the other 3 rubbers were 50-50, especially with an ailing Nole. i'm so glad i was so wrong!
stu , 9/19/10 9:04 PM
Been there all three days. Must say that Tomas looked better than Nole today. He is big, fast and STRONG. Great player. However, Nole's heart was bigger today and even though he is obviously still tired, he showed why he is deservedly #2. Excellent matches and great wins. Well done my fellow Serbs!!! We are more than PROUD of you! ;)
Zare, are you coming to Belgrade in December? :) C'mon, you have to :)).
danica , 9/20/10 1:56 AM
I agree with you, Danice! Novak looked less fresh than Berdych yesterday but his heart was pumped up with adrenaline and defeat wasn't an option for him. I knew it for sure after that knee incident, when he came back on court and started playing even better... And Belgrade showed them how much we are proud!!! I can't speak today, no voice left in me! :) Nole, Ziki, Janko, Viktore, Serbia LOVES you!!!!
And Zare, of course you'll come in Belgrade in December! if I come from Dubai, you MUST come from Geneva!! :)
OllyK , 9/20/10 9:36 AM
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how can djokovic be favourite against berdych if he is not healthy?! he obviously isn't...
it would be cool if the czechs won this! davis cup is a fav tournament with many great upsets and great matches.
croc , 9/19/10 3:18 PM