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Radek Štepánek - Nicolás Almagro Live

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Nationality Player Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5
Czech RepublicR Štepánek6736-
SpainN Almagro4663-

Live Comments

  1. - - So the Czech Republic are now the holders of both the Fed Cup and the Davis Cup in the same season, as well as having won the Hopman Cup in Australia at the beginning of the season. They are the first country to ever achieve that feat. What an achievement.

  2. - - Great show of sportsmanship from Stepanek, as after a celebration with wife Nicole Vaidisova and a lap of honour to salute the fans, he goes back to Nicolas Almagro for a second shake of hands and then also works his way through all the Spaniards to shake each one of their hands as well

  3. - - Stepanek is swamped by his team-mates, who all pile on for a massive group hug as the man who has just won his side the Davis Cup bursts into tears

  4. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 6-3 - GAME, SET & MATCH! Stepanek puts his first serve into the net and the second dangerously close to the service line. But it just catches the back of the line and Almagro goes on to put a backhand into the top of the net

  5. - - THE CZECH REPUBLIC WIN THE 100TH DAVIS CUP!!!!

  6. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 5-3 40-30 - Almagro hits a backhand into the net for the first point of the game before Stepanek slaps down a double fault. This is just ridiculously tense now and even Corretja can't watch - burying his head in his hands. A great return from Almagro sees his team-mates trying to gee up the Spanish contingent in the crowd. Stepanek levels at 30-30 with an ace before bringing up another match point with an unreturnable first serve

  7. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 5-3 - What a way to save a match point as Almagro works his way into the net to flick a high backhand volley winner across court. And the Spaniard goes on to hold after two forehands into the net from Stepanek. The Czech will get the opportunity to serve for the Davis Cup next, though!

  8. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 5-2 40-30 - Stepanek stops a mid-point to challenge an Almagro forward that the crowd thought were out. The ball comfortably caught the line though and that will be 15-15. The Spaniard hits a forehand into the net on the next point before being asked to slow down and relax by coach Alex Corretja. Stepanek hits a cross court forehand wide on the next point before Almagro dumps a forehand into the net after setting the point up perfectly for himself. Match point Stepanek

  9. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 5-2 - An outstanding dive volley from Stepanek after nearly three-and-a-half hours and he bounces straight up to put the pressure on Almagro, who can only send his tricky forehand passing shot attempt long down the line. It's not an easy hold for Stepanek as he is pushed to deuce by Almagro but in the end he does hold and the Spaniard will have to serve to stay in this match next ...

  10. - - The Czech fans get asked by umpire Jake Garner to stay quiet during the rallies, after they call out mid-point on an Almagro ball that was in fact in. The next step is an offical warning and then, if there is still a problem, Garner can dock the Czechs (obviously Stepanek in this case) a point

  11. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 4-2 - Stepanek batters a forehand winner straight down the line at 40-15 down against the Spaniard's serve. But a deft off-forehand volley winner seals the game for Almagro as he looks to force his way back into this match

  12. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 4-1 - Stepanek comes through another potentially tough service hold as he recovers from a poor volley that saw Alamgro level at 30-30 to go on and hold with back-to-back volley winners

  13. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 3-1 - Stepanek glides up to the net and puts away a backhand volley winner to level at deuce. But he snatches at a forehand return of serve, putting it in the net, and Almagro goes on to hold and get himself off the mark in this fourth set

  14. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6 3-6 3-0 - Stepanek races through a love service game, book-ending it with aces, while Almagro sends consecutive forehands long in the middle two points. The Davis Cup trophy is now potentially just three games away for the Czechs!

  15. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 2-0 - BREAK! An off-forehand approach shot from Stepanek goes for a winner and brings up two break points. But he only needs the one, an off-backhand return of serve doing the damage as Almagro hits long

  16. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 1-0 - A defiant opening service hold from Stepanek as he seals the game to 15 with a huge serve and forehand combo

  17. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-6 - SET! Almagro opens impressively with an unreturnable serve before going on to serve out at the second attempt with a series of huge forehands that eventually ends with Stepanek hitting into the net. The Czech did deny Almagro on a first set point with another inside out backhand return of serve winner though, something both players utilised incredibly successfully in that third set

  18. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 3-5 - Stepanek comes through a potentially tough service game from 30-30 (after Almagro had whipped a cross court backhand return of serve away for a winner) to force the Spaniard to serve out this third set

  19. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 2-5 - Stepanek sends a forehand just milimetres long of the baseline as Almagro levels at 30-30 before going on to hold with a couple of blistering serves and forehand follow-ups. Stepanek will serve to stay in this third set after the change of ends

  20. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 2-4 - BREAK! A perfectly judged backhand passing shot winner from Almagro brings up another break point chance for the Spaniard. And this time he does, finally, break when Stepanek sends a backhand long down the centre of the court

  21. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 2-3 - Stepanek mis-hits a backhand into the net at 30-30 to hand Almagro a game point, something he takes full advantage of with an unreturnable first serve out wide. Still on serve in this third set

  22. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 2-2 - The Spaniard gets a third chance to break but again Stepanek saves it, this time not with an ace but a huge first serve that Almagro can only return long and Stepanek goes on to hold with an off-backhand winner into the corner to deny Almagro yet again

  23. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 1-2 40-40 - Almagro belts a backhand down the line that Stepanek can only return long to hand the Spaniard a break point. Stepanek saves it with his third ace of the match, a bullet down the centre of the centre of the court, but Almagro gets a second chance with a backhand passing shot winner down the line. But an ace out wide saves it again. Almagro is furious with the hawkeye footage, thinking it's wrong as he can see a mark, but there's no point arguing with that ...

  24. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 1-2 - Huge defence from Stepanek as he just gets the ball back, gets the ball back, before putting up a testing lob. And Almagro, tracking back to retrieve it, dumps his reply into the net, leaving the scores levelled at deuce. But he gets a little lucky when Stepanek's backhand drop shot ends up into the net and the Spaniard goes on to hold

  25. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 1-1 - Almagro is really going for his shots now, attempting to take the game to Stepanek, but the errors are there again as he fires a off-forehand a little wide to help the Czech player along the way to a hold to 15

  26. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) 0-1 - Almagro finds himself facing three very early break points in this third set. He saves the first and the second with huge serves while Stepanek slaps a wild backhand return well long on the third. And the Spaniard goes on to hold when he leaves a cross court backhand passing shot from Stepanek and the ball lands just marginally wide

  27. - - CZECH REP 6-4 7-6(0) - SET! Wow! What a tie-break from Stepanek, albeit helped by some shackled play from Almagro, as he takes it without dropping a point with a forehand winner. The Czech Republic are now just one set away from winning this Davis Cup!

  28. - - CZECH REP 6-4 6-6(6-0) - TIE-BREAK! There's a slight delay after the first point as Stepanek needs to do some running repairs to himself following a tumble at the net. He got up to win the point but he's badly grazed his left knee and knuckles. Still he races out to a 6-0 lead at the change of ends when Almagro sends an off-forehand wide across court and a forehand into the net down the line, quickly followed by a forehand volley winner from the Czech

  29. - - CZECH REP 6-4 6-6- A solid volley from Stepanek but really it is an Almagro error, a forehand passing shot wide down the line, that hands the Czech player two more set points. Almagro saves the first with a volley winner and the second with an ace. Almagro squanders a game point with a forehand long but does hold at the second attempt. This set will be decided by the tie-break

  30. - - CZECH REP 6-4 6-5 - Stepanek raises his level and cruises through a quick service hold that puts all the pressure back on Almagro once more. Stepanek came into the net on almost every point in that game, fully aware that that is where he is winning some of his cheaper points

  31. - - CZECH REP 6-4 5-5 - A massive hold from Almagro as Stepanek again hits long to hand the Spaniard a game point before mis-timing a forehand volley and putting the ball into the bottom of the net

  32. - - An absolutely stunning body serve on a second serve from Almagro is hugely gutsy to save the set point but he hands Stepanek a second chance with a backhand slapped well long of the baseline. Again Almagro escapes, this time when he leaves Stepanek's passing shot and it drifts just long. That was close and a shot of David Ferrer breathing heavily with his eyes shut show just how much he is living each point of this game with his team-mate!

  33. - - Almagro starts the game with an inch-perfect forehand winner down the line but promptly sends an easier forehand long down the centre of the court. An unreal forehand passing shot winner across court, of a really tricky pick-up, brings up game point for the Spaniard but another forehand long sees Stepanek level at deuce before the Czech pkayer whips a backhand winner across court for a set point ...

  34. - - CZECH REP 6-4 5-4 - A great second serve, quickly following a double fault, and a backhand volley winner get Stepanek off the mark at 0-30 down. But he sends a forehand volley well wide to hand Almagro two more break points. The Czech player saves the first with an unreturnable first serve and the second with a magnificent forehand volley that Almagro cannot quite chase down. And Stepanek goes on to hold with another great volley. Almagro will serve to stay in the set next

  35. - - CZECH REP 6-4 4-4 - BREAK! Almagro looks like he is panicking as he stops mid-point to challenge a ball that was clearly in. And a forehand pass attempt into the very bottom of the net hands Stepanek two break back points. The first is saved with a vicious forehand that is hit so hard Stepanek can only volley into the net. But a really tight forehand allows Stepanek to produced a backhand passing shot and break back to level once again

  36. - - CZECH REP 6-4 3-4 - A love service game from Stepanek includes a couple of forays into the net to help boost his confidence once again. Almagro is by no means completely in control of this set despite the break advantage

  37. - - CZECH REP 6-4 2-4 - Almagro consolidates the break with a hold to 15 as the home crowd is quieten slightly before bouncing back to try and rally their man

  38. - - CZECH REP 6-4 2-3 - BREAK! Almagro does all the hard work on a first break point only to dump the easy forehand passing shot into the net after changing his mind last minute as to whether to go down the line or across court. Stepanek wants to challenge his first serve but has none remaining and so has to make do with a second serve. And Almagro does break when Stepanek fires a backand long down the line. It's the Spaniard's turn now to sprint back to the chair energised!

  39. - - CZECH REP 6-4 2-2 - Much better from Almagro as he holds without having to at least face a break point for the first time in three attempts. He is beginning to look more comfortable on court again now

  40. - - CZECH REP 6-4 2-1 - Stepanek eases through a comparatively quick service hold to love to sling all the pressure back over the net at Almagro

  41. - - CZECH REP 6-4 1-1 - Stepanek earns himself a third break point with an great drop shot after an epic rally. But another great serve, straight down the line and unreturnable from Almagro, again levels things at deuce and this time the Spaniard goes on to hold with a couple of much more characteristic points. That was a huge hold for Almagro

  42. - - CZECH REP 6-4 1-0 - Almagro is pegged back to deuce from 40-15. And deuce is quickly turned into break point Stepanek when Almagro puts a cross court forehand into the net. The Spaniard saves it though with a long rally that ends with Stepanek hitting long down the line. Almagro sends another backhand long to concede another break point but it goes begging when Stepanek hits into the net ...

  43. - - CZECH REP 6-4 1-0- A cracking forehand down the line followed by a backhand volley winner bring up three game points for Stepanek. The first goes begging after the Czech player slices a backhand long off a dismissive backhand slap of a return from Almagro. But he holds at the second attempt with a blistering backhand passing shot down the line, before sprinting back to the chair looking completely focused! Stepanek is in the zone!

  44. - - CZECH REP 6-4 - SET! A few signs of frustration beginning to creep into Almagro's game now as he fires a forehand wide across court to allow Stepanek a 15-30 lead against serve. The Czech player chips a backhand well long of the baseline on the next point but fashions a set point with forehand down the line that Almagro can only lob long. And a forehand long hands the set to the Czech Rep! What a disappointing way to end the set from Almagro.

  45. - - CZECH REP 5-4 - A sliced backhand volley winner quickly followed by a high backhand volley winner help Stepanek on his way to a 40-15 lead, which he converts into another game when Almagro sends a fairly wild off-forehand well wide across court. The Spaniard will have to serve to stay in this opening set after the change of ends

  46. - - CZECH REP 4-4 - A huge first serve out wide leaves Stepanek flailing and a risky, high forehand volley down the line in to almost no space pays off for Almagro as his ball lands just on the line. A wry smile from the Spaniard shows he knows exactly how risky that was given that he had the whole court to play with but it worked out and he goes on to hold with a forehand winner

  47. - - CZECH REP 4-3 - A flick of the wrist from Almagro on a backhand sees the ball dipping wickedly over the net, catching out Stepanek who was expecting a much higher ball to volley away. A backhand floated long from the Czech player hands Almagro yet another break point. Stepanek saves it with an unreturnable serve and then goes on to hold and keep his slender lead on serve

  48. - - CZECH REP 3-3 - Another double fault from Almagro, already his third in this match, but if you are going to serve a double fault there's no better time to do it then when leading 40-0. And the Spaniard goes on to hold on the very next point with a forehand winner down the line after putting Stepanek on the backfoot with a very solid serve

  49. - - CZECH REP 3-2 - Stepanek holds an easier game for a change as he is not forced to deuce, only 30, a change-of-direction forehand doing the damage as Almagro's reply sails wide to allow the Czech player to hold

  50. - - CZECH REP 2-2 - Almagro is yet to drop a point when he does get his first serve in but he is struggling to get that first serve in as Stepanek reels him back from 40-15 to deuce, only for the Spaniard to produce an ace and some brilliant length hitting that Stepanek eventually ends by putting a forehand into the net.

  51. - - CZECH REP 2-1 - Stepanek makes an attempt at serve and volley only to fall victim to a great return from Almagro, the Czech player volleying into the net from the service line. And a forehand into the net on the next point sees Almagro level at deuce from 40-0 down. But his volleying is better on his next trip to the net, a backhand volley winner earning him a game point, which he takes with a good enough forehand, after pushing Almagro out of position

  52. - - CZECH REP 1-1 - Stepanek also earns himself an early break point. Almagro saves it with a forehand winner but gets a little unlucky just a point later when forehand ball catches the top of the tape and allows Stepanek to set up the perfect drop shot. This break point also goes begging though when Stepanek sends a cross corut forehand wide. Almagro squanders a game point with a double fault but recovers and holds at the second attempt

  53. - - CZECH REP 1-0 - A battling opening game with Stepanek moving up to the mid-court to fire away an off-forehand cross court winner to set up a game point, only to slap a forehand long down the centre of the court to allow Almagro to level up at deuce. An amazing forehand return from Almagro brings up an early break point but Stepanek saves it with a forehand winner and goes on to hold after a whopping seven minutes!

  54. - - Here we go then ... the final rubber from the 2012 Davis Cup final. It will be Stepanek to serve first for the Czech Republic ...

  55. - - So this match is pretty close to call and would not be surprising if it goes to five sets. Will Stepanek's superior head-to-head record and the home crowd prevail or will Almagro's fresher legs and higher world ranking prove the difference? Get in touch on Twitter and let me know your predictions. Follow on Twitter.

  56. - - These two have faced each other just the three times before, with Stepanek leading the head-to-heads 2-1 despite being the lower ranked player. He will also have the home crowd behind him today but he has spent a whopping three hours on court on Friday and another three-and-a-half on Saturday, while Almagro spent four hours on court on Friday and had a day off yesterday

  57. - - The Spaniards are bidding for their fourth Davis Cup crown in five years, while the Czechs are aiming to become the first country in 22 years to win men's and women's team titles in the same season. Watch on the Eurosport Player

  58. - - Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage from the decisive fifth rubber in the Davis Cup final, Radek Stepanek taking on Nicolas Almagro for the title

Radek Štepánek

Nationality CZE
Date of Birth 27/11/1978
Height 1.85 m
Weight 77 kg

Nicolás Almagro

Nationality ESP
Date of Birth 21/08/1985
Height 1.82 m
Weight 81 kg

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. The ending of this is total rubbish as Stepanek (who­ desrved his victory) did NOT shake hands a second time­ - in fact, it was all of 5 minutes before he even got­ around to shaking Almagro's hand. Fact - VERY BAD­ sportsmanship and it would have continued had not­ Berdych TOLD him to shake hands with Almagro. It's­ about time you got your reporting correct.

    From JENNIFER, on Sun 18 Nov 19:11

  2. Experience and skill prevailed over youth and strength!­ Congrats Stepanek/CZE!

    From EDDIE, on Sun 18 Nov 19:07

  3. I dont expect Almagro to ever represent spain in the­ davis cup again! he is so aweful

    From PAPOOSE, on Sun 18 Nov 18:52

  4. Comment #4 is not mine. Please use another ID. You can­ use super Eddie instead of mine. PLEASE PLEASE­ don't use my ID.Change yours. I am ahead of you in­ using my ID. Eurosport should not allow this. Are you­ listening Eurosport? There is nothing wrong with your­ comment but it is not mine.......the real EDDIE

    From EDDIE, on Sun 18 Nov 18:44

  5. its only Nadal and Ferrer that can win davis cup for­ spain! i never thought Almagro was that #$%$!!!

    From PAPOOSE, on Sun 18 Nov 18:38

  6. Almagro is so #$%$!!

    From PAPOOSE, on Sun 18 Nov 18:35

  7. VIVA ESPANA!

    From Jack, on Sun 18 Nov 18:19

  8. It is looking good for the Czechs. Stepanek is giving­ his all. Spain is in trouble for now as Stepanik is­ getting close to the finish line. Can Almagro do­ anything?

    From EDDIE, on Sun 18 Nov 18:02

  9. eddie: you´re so smart, guy... haha...

    From C-Line, on Sun 18 Nov 17:44

  10. If Rafa was healthy Almagro would not be playing right­ now.

    From Eddie, on Sun 18 Nov 17:09

  11. This is experience and skill versus youth and strength.­ Will the Oldie take the title for CZE?

    From EDDIE, on Sun 18 Nov 15:47

  12. Commentators can say so stupid statements sometimes ...­ While Almagro is serving with Stepanek up 2-1, he says­ 'that's the difference between the two, Almagro­ getting cheap points with his first serve throughout­ this match ...' ... such a conclusion after 3­ games??? Throughout could be used perhaps in the final­ set, right? How stupid can you be once you make it to a­ media position

    From Simon, on Sun 18 Nov 15:41

  13. Come on, czechs!! Let´s make it double triumph!!

    From C-Line, on Sun 18 Nov 15:03
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