Radek Stepanek and then Tomas Berdych gave the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead on an extraordinary day of tennis in the Davis Cup semi-final.

Ivo Karlovic obliterated the existing world record for aces in a match with 78 during an incredible clash with Stepanek which lasted one minute short of six hours. One of the most incredible matches in Davis Cup history, Stepanek saved four match points before winning 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 16-14.

Afterwards he revealed the psychology he used to push himself past the almost impossible challenge Karlovic’s serve was presenting. “I was not letting my mind think it was match point; I just saw them as another point which I wanted to win,” he said.  “When I sat down at the end I thought they were match points. Thinking that way in the match paid off. I knew patience would be very important.”

It’s hard to see Karlovic’s record being broken for a very long time, it was robotic serving at times. His achievement is even greater when you consider that it was done on a clay court.  
As the action continued and continued deep into the final set the tension was almost unbearable courtside and it soon became the main talking point at the other ties all around the world.

Stepanek summed it up perfectly, “The match was going crazy; we were not able to break each other. I was the one who was using more fitness. I stayed mentally strong and it paid off at the end. You can’t live through bigger emotions than Davis Cup and this match just proved it.”

An already pulsating day’s tennis was far from over. Marin Cilic fought back from two sets to love down against Tomas Berdych to level the match but the Czech rallied again and came through 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 to deliver a hammer blow to the Croatians.

2-0 is a tough deficit to pull back in any circumstances, but for a few points Croatia could have been leading by that scoreline tonight. It’s hard to see them regrouping to win Saturday’s doubles rubber.