Tomas Berdych leads the Czech Republic into action as they take on Kazakhstan in round one of the Davis Cup.
Kazakhstan are making their debut in the World Group and they should not be taken lightly after thrashing Switzerland (without Roger Federer but still with Stanislas Wawrinka) 5-0 in September's World Group playoffs.
Berdych has been a stalwart of the Czech Davis Cup efforts in recent years, helping them reach the final in 2009 and the semi-finals last year. This is the first time he has played at home for two years and after the best season of his life in 2010, a year which saw him make the Wimbledon final, he is hoping to receive a hero's welcome.
“We are back again in Czech, and I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “My last year was great, and now I will have a chance to show the Czech crowd that I can play well again at home, so I’m really looking forward to the match. I’ve been part of the team since I made my first start in Thailand when I was 18. Since that time I just get so many experiences from that. I’m still holding it (Davis Cup) as really a top priority in my season."
Kukushkin has worked his way up the rankings to 67 and he boasts a stunning 9-1 win-loss record in Davis Cup including a five set win over Wawrinka in September. However he has had a tough start to 2011, losing four of his five matches and Berdych will be confident of success.
