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Czechs bounce Japan to reach Davis Cup semi-finals

Doubles match victory decides tie as Stepanek and Rosol show no mercy

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Radek Stepanek (second left) and Lukas Rosol (left) of the Czech Republic sign autographs after defeating Tatsuma Ito and Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan in Tokyo. Photo: EPA

Title holders the Czech Republic reached the semi-finals of the Davis Cup after clinically dispatching Japan in Saturday’s doubles to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie.

Radek Stepanek and Lukas Rosol beat Tatsuma Ito and Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in front of the Japanese emperor and empress in Tokyo as the two-time defending champions set up a clash with either France or Germany from September 12-14.

The emotions we experienced with our country and fans winning the competition were incredible. It’s something you cannot buy
Radek Stepanek

“The Japanese guys fought their hearts out, but we had it pretty much under control,” said Stepanek, who won the deciding rubber for the Czechs in the last two finals – against Spain and Serbia respectively.

“The Davis Cup has an incredible history,” added the 35-year-old, a toddler when Ivan Lendl propelled Czechoslovakia to the title in 1980.

“The emotions we experienced with our country and fans winning the competition were incredible. It’s something you cannot buy.”

Stepanek and Rosol, who both won their singles matches on Friday, bowed politely from the baseline after Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko took their seats behind them as they led by a set and 5-4.

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