Davis Cup QF: Stepanek Steps In, Czechs Win 3-2

As I had predicted before the tie even started (and again after Day 1, and then again after Day 2), Radek Stepanek proved to be the hero for the Czech Republic in the decisive fifth rubber, defeating Juan Monaco in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-2.

After Juan Martin del Potro ran roughshod over Tomas Berdych to level the quarterfinal at two-a-piece, Stepanek was picked to play the final singles match of the tie in place of presumed singles player Ivo Minar, who had played (poorly) in singles on Friday. His knee held up, much to the chagrin of bitter Argentine coach Tito Vazquez.

“We knew that Stepanek was going to be in good shape,” Vazquez said after the loss. “It proved he was not injured at all. You cannot run a lot [with a knee injury]."

Along with Juan Carlos Ferrero (more on him later), Stepanek was one of two players Sunday who won his singles match after not playing Friday. Singles debuts Sunday went 2-0. Players coming back to live rubbers on Sunday after having lost on Friday were 0-2 (Monaco and Blake). It shows how important some creativity in coaching can be to Davis Cup success.

Take note, PMac.

Davis Cup QF: All Three Hosts Go Into Sunday With 2-1 Lead

Aside from the Israeli's assured victory over Russia, there's a lot still hanging in the balance in these Davis Cup Quarterfinals, with the three remaining ties all at 2-1, with the home country having the advantage in each. A quick run down of what happened today and where it all stands going into the deciding matches Friday:

ARGENTINA @ CZECH REPUBLIC (CZECHS LEADS 2-1)
CEZ Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic (Indoor Hard)

Tomas Berdych/Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Jose Acasuso/Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-1, 6-4, 6-3

Sunday's Expected Schedule:
Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)*
Ivo Minar (CZE) v Juan Monaco (ARG)*

A very easy win for the Czechs today, as the Argentines decided to rest their top players for Sunday's singles matches. Though Stepanek expressed some surprise at the switch after the match, it wasn't a bad decision at all. The risk, of course, is that the injured Radek Stepanek could be a last-minute sub for Ivo Minar. If Minar does indeed get the nod, look for Argentina to sweep on Sunday for the comeback win. If Stepanek feels well enough to play, look for the Czechs to make it into the semifinal.

USA @ CROATIA (CROATIA LEADS 2-1)
Sportska Dvorana, Porec, Croatia (Indoor Clay)

Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA) def. Roko Karanusic/Lovro Zovko 6-3, 6-1, 6-3

Sunday's Expected Schedule:
Marin Cilic (CRO) v James Blake (USA)*
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v Mardy Fish (USA)*

After Friday's singles matches proved a double marathon that lasted almost nine hours, the Bryan Brothers made things considerably more brief today, beating the Croatian reserve players in 68 minutes. I blinked and missed it. It was a long blink, to be fair. Croatian Captain Goran Prpic said before the tie that his strategy was to get three singles wins, and this match certainly showed that. While the Croatians had no chance against the Bryans, the inclusion of the doubles specialist twins gives the US significantly less flexibility on Sunday thanteams like Spain or Germany enjoy, as each of those teams brought four capable singles players.

I think Mardy Fish has a pretty good chance against Ivo Karlovic in the potential fifth match, but I don't think it will matter since James Blake hasn't much of a chance against Cilic. The Bryans said in their post-match interview that Blake was in great spirits today, but I have to think all the things that bothered him about the Croatian crowd on Friday will haunt him again tomorrow.

GERMANY @ SPAIN (SPAIN LEADS 2-1)
Venue: Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus, Marbella (Outdoor Clay)

Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def Nicolas Kiefer/Mischa Zverev (GER)* 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-7(6), 6-3

Sunday's Expected Schedule:
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) v Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)*
Tommy Robredo (ESP) v Andreas Beck (GER)*

A nice if predictable win for the Spanish pair against two pretty solid players in Kiefer and Zverev. Germany probably needed to get a win in the doubles to have a shot, as I don't see Andreas Beck being able to beat Tommy Robredo's steady level of play. If the Germans pull a surprise and put in a somewhat gimpy Kiefer for the fifth rubber, it could make things more interesting.

With the tie in Tel Aviv now largely irrelevant, a nice later start on Sunday, with all three ties now in the Central European time zone. Any extra time to sleep is always appreciated.

Davis Cup Quarterfinals Preview

The quarterfinals of the Davis Cup begin on Friday, with all four ties seemingly winnable for both sides. Three of them, surprisingly enough for July, are being held indoors. Coverage of the USA-Croatia tie will be live on Tennis Channel in the States, with streams of the other three quarterfinals likely findable somewhere on the world wide web.

Only the first two match-ups in each tie are locked in, the rest are subject to change(*).

ARGENTINA @ CZECH REPUBLIC
CEZ Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic (Indoor Hard)

Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Juan Monaco (ARG)
Ivo Minar (CZE) v Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)
Lukas Dlouhy/Radek Stepanek (CZE) v Juan Martin del Potro/Leonardo Mayer (ARG)*
Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)*
Ivo Minar (CZE) v Juan Monaco (ARG)*

Nalbandian being out really weakens the Argentines, who could be in trouble against the same Czech team that upset the French in the first round. Radek Stepanek, out with a knee injury, could be an even bigger loss in singles, since he and his Czech Flag outfit usually do so well at Davis Cup. I expect del Potro to win both his singles matches, but for the Czechs to grab the other three for the win, possibly with Stepanek heroically returning for the fifth match vs. Acasuso.
Prediction: Czech Republic 3-2

USA @ CROATIA
Sportska Dvorana, Porec, Croatia (Indoor Clay)

Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v James Blake (USA)
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Mardy Fish (USA)
Ivo Karlovic/Lovro Zovko (CRO) v Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA)*
Marin Cilic (CRO) v James Blake (USA)*
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v Mardy Fish (USA)*

Even Without Andy Roddick, I think the USA has a pretty decent shot in this one if they can handle Ivo Karlovic's serve. Big "if" there. The Bryans are a lock for doubles, as always, and if Fish and Blake can handle a Karlovic serve that should be somewhat stunted on clay, it could be a big win for the United States. That said, I don't think both Blake and Fish will be able to crack Karlovic, which is what it would take since Cilic should cruise to two singles wins.
Prediction: Croatia 3-2

RUSSIA @ ISRAEL
Venue: Nokia Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel (Indoor Hard)

Harel Levy (ISR) v Igor Andreev (RUS)
Dudi Sela (ISR) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
Jonathan Erlich/Andy Ram (ISR) v Igor Kunitsyn/Marat Safin (RUS)*
Dudi Sela (ISR) v Igor Andreev (RUS)*
Harel Levy (ISR) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)*

On paper, this is a real routine win for the Russians. In reality, the only Russian of late who has been playing mildly consistant tennis is Igor Andreev, not known for his Davis Cup prowess. Look for Dmitry Tursunov, not listed in this initial lineup, to see action for the Russians. Russian Davis Cup Captain Shamil Tarpishev loves nothing more than trying to outmaneuver opposing coaches with last minute changes. Israel has a good doubles team in Erlich/Ram (the winners of the 2008 Australian Open Men's Doubles), but Harel Levy is a weak second singles option. Asking Sela to win two singles matches is likely too much to hope for. No matter the result, however, the crowds at Russia-Israel team tennis clashes have proven to be a lot of fun in the past, and should be again this time.
Prediction: Russia 3-2

GERMANY @ SPAIN
Venue: Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus, Marbella (Outdoor Clay)

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) v Andreas Beck (GER)
Tommy Robredo (ESP) v Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)
Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco (ESP) v Nicolas Kiefer/Mischa Zverev (GER)*
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) v Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)*
Tommy Robredo (ESP) v Andreas Beck (GER)*

The match-up of Spain (minus Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer) and Germany (minus Tommy Haas) certainly leaves something to be desired. But even without each country's top player, there's a lot to look forward to in a few of these matches. Kiefer and Zverev are both considerably more comfortable on faster surfaces, which I presume is why Beck is getting the nod for singles. Kohlschreiber-Robredo is a good one that should come down to Kohlschreiber's nerves being better. Kohlschreiber-Verdasco could be a close one as well, especially if Verdasco's mind and forehand are misfiring, as they are prone to do in Davis Cup matches. The whole tie largely comes down to how well Kohlschreiber plays, and I think he'll play well, but not well enough to carry Germany all the way. Hopefully Nadal is healthy in time for the semifinal round.
Prediction: Spain 3-2

Should be a good weekend of tennis to wrap up what has otherwise been a fairly dull, hungover week to follow Wimbledon.

Out to Pasture Players Chew Up Grass

Not often a player loses the first two sets and then only drops five games the remainder of the match. That's exactly what Lleyton Hewitt did, however, in coming back to defeat #23 Radek Stepanek 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. It's Hewitt's first grand slam quarterfinal since the 2006 US Open, where he lost to Andy Roddick, also his opponent in the quarterfinal on Tuesday. Roddick defeated Hewitt two weeks ago at Queen's Club in straight sets, so it's a tough draw to be certain. Even if his run ends in the quarters, it's been a dream tournament for the 2002 Wimbledon Champion. Only Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have dropped fewer sets thus far.

Even more surprising than Hewitt's run in my mind is the success of wild card Juan Carlos Ferrero. I was initially confused by the AELTC's decision to give the then #103-ranked Ferrero a wild card; he had made only one quarterfinal in his last twenty grand slam events, and he's not British. But the 2003 French Open champion's subsequent semifinal run at Queen's Club and his quarterfinal run here have proven their faith deserved. Just like Hewitt, Ferrero too faces his Queen's Club conqueror in the quarterfinals. Ferrero plays hometown hopeful Andy Murray for the second time in two weeks on Wednesday, and just like Hewitt, Ferrero will be given little shot to make the semis.

Even if both the oldies lose to the Andys, it's been a good week for the 29-and-over set. They may be ancient relics by tennis standards, but with the tennis they've produced they've electrified the grass, which is decidedly preferable to being buried under it.