05.06.2009 08:28:20 | The doubles final, in which Pablo Cuevas (URU) and Dominik Hrbatý (SVK) are going to clash with the pair Johan Brunström (SWE), Jean-Julien Rojer (AHO), take place at the central court at 11.00 a.m. Afterwards the two singles semi-final matches will be played.
In the first one Jan Hajek from Prostejov will fight against the Italian Starace and carry on his tennis dream – to be promoted to the UniCredit Czech Open final. “I entered the tournament through a strenuous qualification and felt satisfied to have advanced to the main competition,” said Jan Hajek (283 ATP) after the first round. “I hope to come back to the world’s top hundred, every successful match gets me more confidence, and I feel I trust myself more and more.” Hajek’s best ATP ranking ever was 71 in 2006 so far.
Tomas Berdych will definitely do his best to succeed in the semi-final too. His opponent, the Belgian Steve Darcis, is standing at the door of the world’s top hundred. “To win at home is always a pleasure,” says Berdych who is going to play at the tournament in Halle next week. And what does the director of the tournament Petra Pichalova-Langrova says about the semi-finals? “Hajek was amazing in the quarterfinals against Ljubiczicz, he surprised everybody, including me, and I wish him to make another step towards the final. He is a great battler and will do everything he can to defeat Starace. And Tomas? He is the best ATP ranking player out of all semi-finalists and now is considered a favourite of the whole tournament. But I know how difficult it is, it is always easier to surprise and go up than defend one’s positions,” added the tournament director. And how about having a Czech final?: “This alternative is also possible.”
