The Spanish Armada was in intimidating form against the Czech Republic this weekend in Barcelona, winning the first three matches of the final and claiming the Davis Cup title for the second year in a row.
A strong cocktail of red clay, home crowd and team spirit was just what Rafael Nadal needed to perk up his flagging confidence after last week’s poor performance at the World Tour Finals. He beat Tomas Berdych handily in Friday’s first match of the tie: 7-5, 6-0, 6-2. And he was pretty happy about it:
Photo by Sergio Caroma via DavisCup.com
Is it just me, or did Rafa return to his old pumped up, scissor-kicking, guns ‘n’ buns self this weekend? Oh, the wonders of Davis Cup:
The shoes and head band certainly added to Rafa’s raging bull look.
Friday’s second match was a five set, four hours plus thriller between David Ferrer and Radek Stepanek. Stepanek opened the match with what Ferrer described as a “one-man show,” losing just three games in the first two sets. But apparently leading two sets to none isn’t enough against a Spaniard on his native clay, and the feisty Feru battled back to earn the second point for his team on Day One: 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6.
“I believe this one was one of the most tense matches I’ve ever played.” Ferrer said afterwards. “I had wishes to cry after the first two sets and now is the same because I’m so happy. I have to also thank the crowd for their support.”
Radek needed some support of his own after that wrenching loss:
Photo by Paul Zimmer via DavisCup.com
Despite his star players’ crushing losses, the Czech captain decided to go with experience over fresh legs in the doubles rubber, substituting in Stepanek and Berdych for the untested team of Dlouhy/Hajek. But the photogenic southpaws, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez, were victorious, winning the match 7-6(7), 7-5, 6-2, and earning their Kodak moments:
Photo by Sergio Carmona via DavisCup.com
I think F-Lo is saying “Two times! Two times!” Since he and ‘Nando led a Rafa-less squad to DC glory against Argentina last year.
Team Spain joined Fer and Feli’s celebratory love fest – I guess that makes it a celebratory orgy:
The Czech team leaves Spain with some memories and an embarrassing t-shirt:
Photo by Paul Zimmer via DavisCup.com
The Spaniards don’t have much time to sip champagne in their Davis Cup trophy. The Armada faces the Team Suisse in March, when DC competition starts all over again. Roger Federer hasn’t pledged to participate in the tie – yet. I think he’ll be inspired by the news that Spain and Switzerland are scheduled to meet each other first in June’s World Cup – why not get the national fervor going early?
But for the rest of 2009, it’s VAMOS! all the way.
Tags: Berdych, Davis Cup, Ferrer, Lopez, Nadal, Stepanek, tennis, Verdasco
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Hey, I see F Lo shaved his face fuzz for the victory celebration. Too bad, because I liked it just fine. Congrats to the Armada! I’m especially happy to see David coming through. He’s had a pretty rotten year, and he deserves a little sunshine at the end of it.
congrats to the spanish squad. i admit i kinda wished the czechs will surprise, or at least put up a fight. but what can you do…
on a more urgent matter, has anyone notice that the 2010 schedule of TMF as posted on his website this week is very different than the one he published a couple of weeks ago??
http://www.rogerfederer.com/en/rogers/schedule/index.cfm
according to this Fed won’t be playing Abu Dhabi or Doha, and will start the season at the AO. also – he’s scheduled to play DC at Spain, but won’t show up to Monte Carlo and Madrid masters… that means only Rome and Estoril prior to the FO.
all togather this schedule consists of only 16 tournaments (including WTF) and the DC… very weird.
You are absolutely right… yet the official tournament websites of both Abu Dhabi and Doha still feature Fed. very weird!
Congratulations Spain – great team effort. What a weekend. Rafa returned to form and Daveeed fought for his win on Friday. Rafa was Daveed’s personal cheerleader. Then the doubles team of Nando and Feli were successful and determined in straight sets. 4 wins in 10 years, pretty astounding.
Awesome chicos!!! I’m Italian, but when it comes to tennis I’m all for Spain, they’re just too good. Such a great team spirit for a sport that’s actually quite individualistic. Kudos to them and welcome back to Roaring Rafa!
Congrats to the Spanish Armada, they’re simply unbeatable. Kudos to Ferrer to find the spirit and the fight in him to turn back the match and win it, that was an impressive victory. I’m Spanish so I’m very glad this team won even though in singles I support only Djokovic.
Now why can’t Ferrer play like that at the grand slams!! Seems like he can do pretty well with a home crowd and a coach on the sidelines. (BTW, I’ve never really understood why tennis won’t allow sideline coaching like other sports, but that’s another topic.)