Karolina Pliskova Stars as Czech Republic Retains Fed Cup Title - Mondays with Bob Greene

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

FED CUP

(Final)

Czech Republic beat Russia 3-2 at Prague, Czech Republic

OTHERS

Yaroslava Shvedova beat Naomi Osaka 6-4 6-7 (8) 6-4 to win the Hua Hin Championships in Hua Hin, Thailand

Caroline Garcia beat Louisa Chirico 6-1 6-3 to win the Engie Open de Limoges in Limoges, France

Egor Gerasimov beat Lukas Lacko 7-6 (1) 7-6 (5) to win the Peugeot Slovak Open in Bratislava, Slovakia

SAYING

“I think I was at my best.” – Novak Djokovic, after crushing Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-1 in their opening round-robin match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

“He played unbelievable tennis. I’m very ashamed with this score. I couldn’t do anything … didn’t feel like I had any chances today.” – Kei Nishikori, after losing to Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-1.

“It’s the first experience for me in the Fed Cup so I’m really happy (about) how we made it and we both played really good.” – Karolina Pliskova, after winning the last two points to lead the Czech Republic to a Fed Cup title.

“I’m speechless, it was unbelievable.” – Barbora Strycova, who teamed with Karolina Pliskova to win the doubles and lift the Czech Republic over Russia in the Fed Cup final.

“We tried. We did our best. I’m proud of my girls. I think they played good.” – Anastasia Myskina, Russian Fed Cup captain.

“I came here to play two singles matches and I did my job.” – Maria Sharapova, who won both of Russia’s points in the Fed Cup final.

“It hurts. But I know I did all I could. It was just not enough.” – Petra Kvitova, after losing her reverse singles match to Maria Sharapova 3-6 6-4 6-2, giving Russia a short-lived 2-1 lead in the Fed Cup final.

“It’s been an incredible week for me. I’ve lived through a lot of emotions here.” – Caroline Garcia, following her triumph in Limoges, France.

“I think he’s already practiced this week on clay and he has a good plan and he knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows how he is feeling. I’m sure Andy will be ready. He’s had an amazing year, not just on the Tour but also what he did in the Davis Cup, which has been quite impressive. I’m sure he will be ready for the final.” – Stan Wawrinka, commenting on Andy Murray’s playing in both the Barclays ATP World Tour Final and the Davis Cup final in consecutive weeks.

“As Captain of the Fed Cup team, Petr Pala has fostered a shared spirit of team work, unity, and determination among the Czech Republic team that has resulted in tremendous success. His leadership embodies the spirit of competing as a team for one’s country.” – David Haggerty, International Tennis Federation president, on presenting Pala with the Fed Cup Award of Excellence during an on-court ceremony.

SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE

Karolina Pliskova won her reverse singles match to level the Fed Cup final at 2-2, then teamed with Barbora Strycova to win the doubles and lead the Czech Republic to a successful defense of its international team trophy title. It is the Czech’s fourth Fed Cup triumph in five years. The victory came despite Maria Sharapova winning both of her singles matches, the second one giving Russia a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five competition when she rallied to beat Petra Kvitova 3-6 6-4 6-2 in the opening reverse singles match. Pliskova pulled the Czech Republic even when she stopped Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-4, then joined Strycova for their 4-6 6-3 6-2 win over Russia’s Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina. “Unbelievable,” Strycova said. “It’s a fantastic feeling. It was always my dream. We decided the tie, it can’t be better.”

SUPER SERB

Following his 6-1 6-1 demolition of Kei Nishikori to open the round-round portion of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Novak Djokovic was honored for finishing 2015 as the number one player. It was the fourth time in five years Djokovic has won the year-ending title, becoming the sixth player to clinch the year-end number one ranking on four or more occasions. Pete Sampras won it six times, Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer five years each, and Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe four times each. “Undoubtedly it has been the best season, the best year, of my life,” Djokovic said. “I have been experiencing the most of my abilities in my tennis game. Everything has come together over the years and I’ve been very consistent with my results. 2011 and 2015 definitely stand out and I look back with great pride and joy. … This is the crown for all the achievements in the season.” In 2015 Djokovic reached all four Grand Slams tournament finals and eight ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament finals, winning titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Rome, Shanghai and Paris. With a 79-5 match record, it is the sixth time in eight years he has won 70 or more matches in a season. Bidding to win his fourth straight Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title, Djokovic with his victory over Nishikori ran his consecutive-match streak at the season finale to 15.

SUCCESS AT HOME

Caroline Garcia found success at home, beating unseeded American Louisa Chirico to capture the Engie Open de Limoges in Limoges, France. “I’m really happy with this victory,” the Frenchwoman said. “I had some difficult moments today, but it was an incredible final and the fan support was amazing.” Entering the tournament with a wild card, Garcia was seeded third. She survived a pair of tough three-setters earlier in the week, but had no such problems with Chirico. It was the second career title for Garcia, who won a WTA International-level event in Bogotá, Colombia, last year. “It’s actually a relief to win here in France, and at a tournament I really appreciate,” Garcia said. “I’m really happy to finish with the title here.”

SHVEDOVA TRIUMPHANT

Fourth-seeded Yaroslava Shvedova had to battle to capture her second career WTA Tour title, the Hua Hin Championships, overcoming unseeded Naomi Osaka in the final. A two-time Grand Slam tournament doubles champion Shvedova’s second singles crown came eight years after her first. The 18-year-old Osaka was unable to cash any of the seven break points she held in the opening set. But she prevailed in the second-set tiebreak 10-8 to level the match. But it was Shvedova who prevailed in the decisive third set as Osaka faded.

SALUTED

Petr Pala, captain of the Czech Republic Fed Cup team, received the 2015 Fed Cup Award of Excellence from the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHoF) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Pala was given the award during on-court ceremonies before the start of the Fed Cup Final between the Czech Republic and Russia. The award was presented by ITF President David Haggerty and Hall of Famer Jane Brown Grimes. The ITF and the ITHoF annually present the Fed Cup Award of Excellence to an individual who represents the ideals and spirit of the Fed Cup competition. Pala has captained the Czech Republic Fed Cup team since 2008, and under his leadership the team has won titles in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. Prior to his Fed Cup role, Pala was a successful doubles player on the ATP World Tour in the early 2000s. He was ranked as high as 10^th in the world in doubles and won six doubles titles in his career. In 2001, he reached the men’s doubles final at the French Open, partnered with his countryman and brother-in-law Pavel Vizner. They won the first two sets before losing to India’s Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

Past recipients of the Fed Cup Award of Excellence have been Helena Sukova of the Czech Republic in 2014; Corrado Barazzutti of Italy in 2013; Jana Novotna of the Czech Republic in 2012; Anastasia Myskina of Russia in 2011; Billie Jean King of the United States in 2010; Mary Joe Fernandez of the United States and Silvia Farina of Italy in 2009; Miguel Margets of Spain in 2008; Lea Pericoli of Italy in 2007; Sabine Appelmans of Belgium in 2006; Françoise “Frankie” Dürr of France in 2005; Olga Morozova of Russia in 2004; Larisa Savchenko of Latvia in 2003; Virginia Wade of Great Britain in 2002; and Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Conchita Martinez in 2001.

SAYS NO PRESSURE

Brothers Bob and Mike Bryan claim they’re not feeling any pressure about trying to finish the year number one in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Rankings. But the American twins, who lead the second-ranked team of Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau by only 65 points, began the Barclays ATP World Team Finals by losing to Rohan Bopanna of India and Florin Mergea of Romania 6-4 6-3. “We don’t feel under pressure, we’ve been in this position before,” Bob Bryan said before they began play in the year-ending event. “It may go down to the final match as it did so in 2008 with Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic.” Nestor and Zimonjic clinched the year-end title and number one ranking when they beat the Bryans in the final. The Bryans have clinched the year-end top spot in 10 of the past 12 years, losing out only in 2004 and 2008. “This tournament has often brought out the best in us over the years, with four titles from six finals,” Mike Bryan said. “The best teams in the world are competing here and there is nowhere to hide.”

SI FINALISTS

Two tennis stars are in the running for Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year honors. When the magazine trimmed its list to 12 finalists, among those still in the running were Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic. Williams, who nearly accomplished the first calendar year Grand Slam in women’s tennis since 1988, falling short in the semifinals of the US Open, has a chance to become the first woman since Mary Decker in 1983 to win Sportsman of the Year. Other female athletes/coaches have shared the honor in past years, but Decker is the last to win it on her own. Among others in contention for the SI honor are Ronda Rousey, mixed martial arts; Usain Bolt, track and field; Lionel Messi and Carli Lloyd, soccer; Jordan Spieth, golf; Steph Curry, basketball; and the Kansas City Royals, baseball. The winner will be announced on December 14.

SAFETY FIRST

Security at The O2 Arena in London, where the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is being held, has been enhanced following the bombings in Paris. Officials at the men’s year-ending event issued a statement that said: “The O2 already has enhanced security in place, and tournament preparations are continuing as normal. Venue security is monitored at all times to ensure the safety of all our visitors. No food or drink will be allowed into the arena itself and all bags will be searched. No bags larger than a small laptop bag or handbag will be permitted in The O2 during the tournament and visitors are urged to travel light, as there is no storage on site. Please allow extra time for security checks.”

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Bratislava: Ilija Bozoljac and Igor Zelenay beat Ken Skupski and Neal Skupski 7-6 (3) 4-6 10-5 (match tiebreak)

Hua Hin: Liang Chen and Wang Yafan beat Varatchaya Wongteanchai and Yang Zhaoxuan 6-3 6-4

Limoges: Barbora Krejcikova and Mandy Minella beat Margarita Gasparyan and Oskana Kalashnikova 1-6 7-5 10-6 (match tiebreak)

SURFING

London: www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com/

Taipei: www.oectennis.com/bin/home.php

Tokyo: www.andoopen.tokyo/

Davis Cup: www.daviscup.com/

Carlsbad: www.cldclassic.com/

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

(All money in USD)