For a while on Friday it looked like the Czech Republic’s hopes of winning the Davis Cup in 2016 might fall by the wayside. Philipp Kohlschreiber had defeated Lukas Rosol, and Alexander Zverev was two-sets-to-one up against Tomas Berdych. A recovery from Berdych in that match ensured that the tie was level going into the doubles. Berdych partnered Radek Stepanek, but Philipp Kohlschreiber stepped in to partner former Wimbledon Men’s Doubles winner Philipp Petzschner. The Czechs won the match in straight sets 7-6, 7-5, 6-4, in two hours and forty-three minutes.
It was though that Jiri Vesely and Dustin Brown might play some part in the doubles, after particularly gruelling encounters for Berdych and Kohlschreiber in the singles, but both Kohlschreiber and Berdych stepped up to compete in the doubles.
A close first set that featured no breaks of serve saw the German pair edge the tiebreak before each set got progressively easier for Berdych/Stepanek. The second set also proved close, with no break points through the first ten games. That changed in game eleven, when Petzschner/Kohlschreiber offered one chance, and the break was earned. A quick hold and the Czechs led by two sets.
Berdych/Stepanek continued to raise their game, finding another break early in the third. Petzschner/Stepanek had two chances but failed to capitalise. Both teams managed to hold their serves for the rest of the match, completing the straight sets victory for the Czech Republic.
The win for the Czech Republic ensures that they remain the heavy favourites in the tie going into the final reverse singles on Sunday. The doubles result means that for Germany to progress they must, bar injury or other unforeseen circumstances, find a way past world No.7 Berdych. Berdych owns a commanding 8-1 lead in the head-to-head with his likely opponent Philipp Kohlschreiber, and the Czech has won each of their last three encounters in straight sets.
