Berdych to skip Davis Cup tie

Prague: Tomas Berdych will miss holders the Czech Republic`s Davis Cup semifinal against Kazakhstan next weekend due to an injured shoulder.

"I felt a deep pain in my shoulder. It was clear that I wouldn`t be able to play next week in Kazakhstan," said Berdych, who was just ousted at the ATP Masters in Miami. The World No.6 has suffered from the same problem on and off in the past. The Czech Republic will be represented by Radek Stepanek, the World No.43, Lukas Rosol (No.64), Jan Hajek (98) and Ivo Minar (245). Last November, Berdych and Stepanek led the Czech Republic to their first Davis Cup trophy since the country became independent in 1993, beating Spain 3-2 in Prague. IANS