Belgrade: Serbia’s decision to leave Novak Djokovic out of the doubles rubber of their Davis Cup final against Czech Republic was “like leaving a Ferrari in the garage”, victorious opponent Radek Stepanek said on Sunday.
The Czechs wrapped up a 3-2 win to retain their title thanks to Stepanek’s crushing 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 demolition of the inexperienced Dusan Lajovic in the decisive rubber at the imposing Kombak Arena.
The match, however, hinged on the outcome of the doubles with Djokovic winning both his singles ties and Stepanek, along with stand-in captain Vladimir Safarik, said they were surprised the World No 2 was rested. “We expected him to play but that was their decision and we just focused on beating whoever was on the other side of the net,” Safarik, deputising for the ill Jaroslav Navratil, told a news conference.
In Djokovic’s absence, Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek romped to a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) win over Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac to take a 2-1 lead heading into the final day.
Serbia were already weakened after losing Janko Tipsarevic to a foot injury and Viktor Troicki who was banned for missing a blood test in April.
“We only had so many fit and eligible players to choose from and although I must take responsibility for the outcome as the decision maker, I have no regrets about the team selection in any of the rubbers,” Serbia captain Bogdan Obradovic said.
“Missing two second-choice players was too big a blow and we just couldn't do more although we tried to cope with the tough situation as best we could. The positive thing is that we have expanded our Davis Cup team and we will keep faith in our new arrivals.
”Stepanek felt the experience of last year played the key in sealing victory for the Czechs after Djokovic had levelled the rubber 2-2 following a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 win over Berdych. “The match was the same (as last year’s final), under the biggest possible pressure that can be,” Stepanek, who beat Spain’s Nicolas Almagro in the decisive rubber 12 months ago, said in a courtside interview.
“I knew that I would want to use the experience from last year’s final. I controlled the match apart from the first game and 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.”
