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Czechs reach Davis Cup final for first time since 1980

Czech Republic reached the Davis Cup final for the first time when Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych beat Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 to open an unassailable 3-0 lead over Croatia on Saturday.

London: Czech Republic reached the Davis Cup final for the first time when Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych beat Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 to open an unassailable 3-0 lead over Croatia on Saturday.
The former Czechoslovakia won the Davis Cup in 1980 by beating Italy but this is the first time Czech Republic have reached the final. The noisy Czech supporters gave their doubles pair plenty of support and not even two delays caused by power cuts could spoil the atmosphere in the Zatika Arena. With Sunday`s reverse singles now dead rubbers, captain Jaroslav Navratil is likely to rest Stepanek and Berdych and give Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hernych a semi-final chance. "This is an unbelievable success for our country, we made it to the final after 29 years and I am exceptionally proud of our players who put up a great performance in all three matches," Navratil said. The Czechs now face Spain or Israel in the final in December. Bureau Report