Tennis Capsules: Spain leads 2-0 after Ferrer rallies past Stepanek
BARCELONA, Spain — Defending champion Spain took a 2-0 lead over the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final after David Ferrer rallied for a 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6 victory over Radek Stepanek on Friday.
Earlier, Rafael Nadal relied on his usual dogged determination and timely shot-making to beat Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 in the first singles match on the clay court at the Palau Sant Jordi.
Stepanek looked set to even the best-of-five series after steamrolling Ferrer in the first two sets. But Ferrer, playing his first match in a month after a hamstring injury, battled back and got the decisive break in the 13th game of the final set. He clinched it when Stepanek sent a shot long on match point.
"It was maybe the most important (win) of my career; it’s the final of the Davis Cup," said Ferrer, who improved to 12-4 in five-set matches. "(But) it all depends on if we win."
Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco can clinch Spain’s fourth title on Saturday with a doubles win over Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hajek in the best-of-five finals format.
Three-time champion Spain, which hasn’t lost at home in over a decade, is looking to become the first team since Sweden in 1998 to defend the trophy at the site where it won its first in 2000.
"Tomorrow we will have the first chance and Sunday two more," captain Albert Costa said. "We are in a good way but we must remain calm and concentrated."
The 12th-ranked Stepanek had Czech fans roaring when he took nine straight games on his way to winning the first two sets.
But the mostly Spanish contingent in the crowd of 18,000 came to life when Ferrer started finding his stride after a break in the third game.
Stepanek, who caused his opponent many problems when coming to the net, hit 58 winners to Ferrer’s 33. But he also had 74 unforced errors.
"He started really well and I wasn’t able to find my game," said Ferrer, who lost his singles match in last year’s final win over Argentina. "But when I won the third set I took confidence with me."
Ferrer broke five times over the next two sets to even the match, but then wasted four early break points in the decider.
But Stepanek wasted 30-0 lead at 6-6 and then netted a drop shot for Ferrer to break.
Stepanek didn’t rule out being back on the court Saturday alongside Berdych in place of Dlouhy and Hajek. The Czech pair have a 5-0 doubles record and have clinched all nine live rubbers this year.
"You see me walking, breathing, talking, so I’m physically ready to play another match," the 31-year-old said. "I played even tougher matches so don’t worry."
Returning to his favorite clay surface after four straight indoor defeats, Nadal gave the hosts the perfect start and certainly didn’t look like the player who came in on a four-match winless run. Nadal won 13 straight games at one stretch for a fifth straight win over Berdych that improved his Davis Cup record to 11-0 on clay.
"After winning the first set everything changed," said Nadal, who missed last year’s final against Argentina with an injury. "I got up on him. I also managed to find my rhythm."
Nadal converted a decisive break point in the 11th game on his way to taking the tight first set, and Berdych was never in the match after that as his serve faltered and he finished with 40 unforced errors.
Spain has won 17 consecutive clay series and hasn’t lost at home since 1999 — beating 19 opponents along the way. The visitors are looking for their first title since 1980, when the country was Czechoslovakia.
Sampras to play exhibition in San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Pete Sampras will return to San Jose next year to play in another exhibition.
SAP Open tournament officials said Friday that Sampras will kick off this year’s tournament with an exhibition match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco on Feb. 8. Sampras played Tommy Haas in exhibitions at the tournament the past two years.
Joining Verdasco among the players in this year’s field are Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Mardy Fish, Taylor Dent, Sam Querrey and Haas.
