The Czech Republic won their second successive Davis Cup title after Radek Stepanek beat Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-1 6-1 to give them a 3-2 victory against the 2010 champions Serbia yesterday.
Serbia’s world number two Novak Djokovic levelled the tie earlier in the day with a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 victory over Tomas Berdych in two hours and 42 minutes to level the contest at 2-2.
But the passionate home fans were silenced by a cool performance from Stepanek who gave the 117th-ranked Lajovic no chance in the decisive rubber.
“The match was the same (as last year’s final), under the biggest possible pressure that can be,” Stepanek said in a courtside interview.
“But I knew that I would want to use the experience from last year’s final against him. Besides the first game, I controlled the match. I think I played in my best form ever this weekend.
“Of course it is more difficult to defend the title, but I think we used the experience from last year and we earned it.”
Lajovic had 17,000 noisy Serbian fans on their feet when he broke Stepanek in the opening game but it turned out to be the high point of the match for the 23-year-old, as his more experienced opponent highlighted the gulf in class between the two players.
Stepanek combined his baseline and volleying skills to good effect and was mobbed by his team-mates when he sealed victory after one hour and 52 minutes.
“I don’t think words can describe it,” he said.
“It’s completely different than the first time and to defend this trophy means the world for us right now, for our country.
“We waited 32 years for our second title and now we are one of the five countries who’ve been able to defend it.
“And we did it playing in Serbia on their surface in front of their fantastic crowd, but thanks to our fans who’ve been with us no matter where we played we made history today.”
In the open era, the only previous defending champions to retain their title were Spain in 2009, West Germany in 1989, Sweden in both 1985 and 1998 and the United States on several occasions.
On becoming the first man in Davis Cup final history to win the live fifth rubber two years running, Stepanek said: “That’s a beautiful stat, what can I say?
“I came to this match confident because I have the experience, I felt great on the court here since Friday and I just proved it and I’m indescribably happy.”
Asked where the victory stood among his career achievements, he added: “Definitely the highest both of the years. To win the Davis Cup is so far my biggest achievement.
“I got in the top 10 in singles, the top 10 in doubles, I won two grand slams (in doubles), and played the Masters in singles and doubles – but winning two Davis Cups tops them all.”
He was fully appreciative of the travelling support for the Czech Republic team, and praised them after yesterday’s match.
He said: “From the guys who are supporting us very loudly, I know everyone personally and I will thank them for the great support they gave us and we are proud of them.
“I hope the country will be proud of us because we’re a very small country and to make such an achievement is really very good.”