March 5, 2025
Daviscup.com
The Slovak Republic completed a shock 3-0 victory over defending champion Spain when Karol Beck and Michal Mertinak defeated Albert Costa and Rafael Nadal of Spain 76(3) 64 76(8) in Saturday's doubles rubber in Bratislava.
The day started with a small surprise by the Slovak team. While everybody was asking Spanish captain Jordi Arrese whether he was planning to make any changes in his team nominations, it was Miloslav Mecir who decided to replace Dominik Hrbaty with Karol Beck in the Slovak doubles team.
Mecir, the 1988 Olympic Gold medallist in Seoul, was known as a very wise player, earning the nickname �The Cat�. Once again he also proved his wisdom as a Davis Cup captain. In making his decision, he was already thinking about Sunday, preferring to give Dominik Hrbaty sufficient rest before a possibly crucial contest against Feliciano Lopez. But Hrbaty ended up not needing any rest, with Beck and Mertinak proving too strong for Costa and Nadal.
With all four players serving well, the first set was decided by a tiebreak won convincingly by the Slovak duo. In the second set Costa dropped serve in the third game, which was enough for Beck and Mertinak to extend their advantage.
There were no breaks of serve in the third set either, although Beck was forced to save two set points in the tenth game. In a dramatic tiebreak, the Slovaks squandered a 5-3 lead, before missing a match point at 6-5. The Spaniards then missed two set points of their own, before Karol Beck finally converted the second match point on his own serve.
And then it was time for national celebrations. Slovak flags flew high in the National Tennis Centre and tennis fans celebrated in their Slovak hockey team jerseys. Like in Formula One, Karol Kucera and Hrbaty gave Beck and Mertinak a champagne shower.
The Slovak Republic has reached the Davis Cup quarterfinals for the third time in its twelve-year history as an independent country. It will face the winner of the first round tie between Netherlands and Switzerland in a bid for a first-ever semifinal appearance.
A delighted Beck said: "The first two times my country qualified for the quarterfinals I wasn�t in the team. So this is the first time I have the chance to taste this joy and it really feels great. I am also very happy with the way I played and carried the pressure." Beck started the week with the cold and cough, and finished it as a hero of the tie.
Captain Mecir added: "My players played very well throughout the weekend and I am really satisfied with their performances. They handled the pressure perfectly and they were aware that you shouldn�t waste any opportunities against the high quality Spanish players."
It is a case of history repeating itself for Spain. After it won its first Davis Cup title in 2000 it lost in the opening round of the 2001 competition against the Netherlands in Eindhoven. And the same destiny has followed its second victory achieved last year in Seville. As in Eindhoven, Spain has lost its title within two days.
But the fact is that Jordi Arrese was unable to come to Bratislava with the squad that defeated the United States last December. Carlos Moya decided that he will focus on the regular circuit this season, while Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Roberdo are still facing problems with injuries.
Former Roland Garros champion Costa said: "I was surprised at the high level of the Slovak players. I haven�t seen Beck, Hrbaty and Mertinak playing so good. And I have to congratulate them for their achievement."
Spanish captain Jordi Arrese added: "The surface is not an excuse for us. Of course it is disappointing to lose in the first round especially if you are a titleholder. But that is sport. Now we have to put our forces together to stay in the World Group."
Spain is now looking to get some consulation in Sunday�s matches, in which Lopez is scheduled to face Hrbaty and Verdasco is due to play Beck. As the tie is already decided, there is a high possibility that both captains will make some changes in their nominations.
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