U.S. Czechs Out of the Davis Cup

Turns out the United States needed more than its third team to advance in the Davis Cup, after all.

With its best players, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi among them, bowing out in favor of more lucrative events, the Americans lost, 3-2, to the Czech Republic on Sunday when Petr Korda defeated MaliVai Washington in three sets in the decisive match.

In losing in the quarterfinals, the defending Davis Cup champions again are faced with trying to get their best players to participate.

“Right now, I can’t see how you would work out the schedule,” said U.S. Tennis Assn. President Les Snyder, referring to bigger paydays chosen by the likes of Sampras, Agassi, Michael Chang and Jim Courier.

“You either have to get rid of some tournaments or you have to do some other type of configuration that I can’t see. This will happen from time to time--the U.S. is unique that it has so many good players.”

Entering Sunday’s play on the indoor court, the Czech Republic led, 2-1, after a thrilling doubles victory on Saturday before an enthusiastic crowd. But Todd Martin, ranked 17th, came through for the United States in the first reverse singles, defeating Daniel Vacek, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 6-1, to tie the match, 2-2.

Korda, though, won the pivotal first set against Washington, ranked 19th, and went on for a 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. And the United States, Davis Cup champions 31 times, was eliminated.

Washington had Korda in trouble in the opening set. He led, 5-4, and twice had break point to close out the set. Instead, Korda fought back, forced a tiebreaker and won it, 7-5.

“When you win that first set, it changes the whole complexion of the match,” Washington said. “If I could have won that first set it would have been a lot different. It was hard-fought all the way and he won the tiebreak and pulled it out.”

The victory moved the Czechs into the semifinals--they will play Sweden in September--for the first time since 1986.

“I’ve been on this team eight years, and now we’ve finally broken through--coming against the Americans is all the better,” the 41st-ranked Korda said.