2012 Davis Cup final: Czech Republic captures 2nd title

The final series of the Davis Cup kicks off on Friday as Spain and the Czech Republic meet for the title. The Czech Republic will enjoy a home court advantage as the final takes place at the O2 Arena in Prague. The two countries will play a best-of-five series, which will include four singles matches and one doubles match.

World No. 5 David Ferrer and Radek Stepanek face each other to kick off the 100th edition of the final. Ferrer is attempting to put a bow on the best year of his career, in which his has won seven singles titles. Ferrer is 6-3 against Stepanek, including a win in the Davis Cup final three years ago. The match begins at 10 a.m. ET on the Tennis Channel.

Spain travels to Prague to play the Czech Republic this weekend in the 100th Davis Cup finals. To defend their 2011 title and take a fourth Davis Cup in five years, the Spanish team must beat a fifth-seeded Czech team that traveled to Argentina to knock off last year’s runner-up squad and this year’s No. 2 seed.

Spain’s lead singles player is David Ferrer, currently No. 5 in the ATP rankings; he opens the 100th Davis finals Friday against Radek Stepanek. The Czech Republic’s team is led by Tomas Berdych, the ATP No. 6; he faces Nicolas Almagro in the second singles match Friday. Ferrer is 6-3 lifetime against Stepanek; Berdych has defeated the No. 11 Almagro four of five times this year.