Tomas Berdych leads the Czech Republic's 2011 Davis Cup campaign against Kazakhstan.
The Czech Republic have established themselves as a force in the Davis Cup in recent years, reaching the final in 2009 and the semi-finals last year, losing a close tie to eventual champions Serbia. With world number seven Tomas Berdych at the helm they look set to be a force again in the competition this year.
Berdych is in action this weekend as the Czech Republic host Kazakhstan. However it will be crucial that he wins both singles rubbers as they are badly missing Radek Stepanek as the second singles player.
Kazakhstan are making their debut in the Davis Cup World Group after stunning Switzerland 5-0 in September's World Group playoffs. They are spearheaded by the fast improving Andrey Golubev as well as world number 63 Mikhail Kukushkin and former top 50 player Evgeny Korolev.
Expect Berdych to win two singles rubbers but with Jan Hajek (ranked 101) as the other singles player, this tie could well be decided by Saturday's doubles rubber. This is where the experience of Lukas Dlouhy (ranked world number 11 in doubles) could prove decisive.
