Sports News

In Sports News this Monday: a young English golfer takes his first big title at Czech Open; in tennis, Tomáš Berdych beats Roger Federer at Cincinnati before later pulling out with a shoulder injury; Czech football titleholders Plzeň gear up for the second leg of their Champions League play-off; also, Czech canoe racer Lukáš Koranda wins silver in the 5000 metres at the world championships in Hungary.

In golf, Oliver Fisher takes Czech Open title

Oliver Fisher, photo: CTK

English golfer Oliver Fisher won the Czech Open in the north Moravian resort of Čeladná over the weekend with the final score of 13 under par. On the final day, 22-year-old Fisher played six pars in a row, followed by three birdies. He then staggered a little and dropped two shots and with a one-shot lead, he birdied the 16th and 17th holes. The young player then finally parred the last hole, which was enough for him to claim his first European PGA tour title.

“I can’t even explain what it means. After the year I’ve had so far, it’s a relief in that sense but it feels fantastic to have won my first tournament after making the cut in Sweden, making the cut in Ireland and then coming out this week, playing pretty solid. It feels like now I’m there, I’ve won, I’ve proven myself, so in that respect, it feels great.”

Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg came in second with 11 under par while Fabrizio Zanotti, from Paraguay finished third with nine under. The best Czech, 15-year-old Šimon Zach, did not make it through the cut and finished 79th overall.

In tennis, Berdych beats Federer to reach semis at Cincinatti but retires through injury

Tomáš Berdych, photo: CTK

It’s been two years since the Czech tennis player Tomáš Berdych won his last tournament title, and he needed a major win this season after reaching 12 quarterfinals. Things were looking good for the world number nine at the ATP Cincinnati event last week when Berdych beat world number three Roger Federer 6:2 and 7:6 in the tournament’s quaterfinals on Friday. He then took on the ATP top ranking player Novak Djokovič in the semis – but only lasted one set before throwing in the towel due a shoulder injury. Tomáš Berdych spoke to Czech Radio after he dropped out.

“Of course it’s disappointing. I thought I could beat Novak Djokivič; even despite my injury, I was still able to finish the first set but unfortunately, I could not continue. I don’t know what the problem is; I feel sharp pain from the side of my shoulder into my arm and triceps. But I’ll now have enough time to consult with doctors.”

The Czech now hopes he will be fit for the season’s final event, the US Open which kicks off in a week’s time.

Football champions Plzeň vie for historic Champions League group stage spot

FC Copenhagen - Viktoria Plzeň, photo: CTK

In their bid to reach the Champions League’s group stage, Czech football titleholders Viktoria Plzeň sensationally beat Danish champions FC Copenhagen 3:1 in the first leg of the competition’s play-offs in Demark on Tuesday. The Czechs weathered the home side’s early push to go ahead with an own goal by Danish defenseman Sölvi Ottesen in the 52nd minute; seven minutes later, Václav Pilař scored the visitors’ second goal. The hosts pulled one back with a header by Ottesen but Plzeň struck once again with a superb shot by Martin Fillo. Captain Pavel Horváth has this to say after the game.

“In the first half, we were sort of testing the ground, we didn’t want to tackle them recklessly and attack. In the second half, we moved our defence in front, we were more dangerous, and we managed to score three times.”

Plzeň play FC Copenhagen in Prague on Wednesday as their stadium is unfit to host UEFA games due to its ongoing renovation. Over the weekend, Plzeň had a good test for the crucial match when they beat Dukla Prague 4:2 in the fourth round of the Czech football league.

Czech canoe racer wins silver at world championships

Lukáš Koranda, photo: CTK

And finally, in the sport of canoeing, Lukáš Koranda won the silver medal in the 5,000 metre event at the world championships in Szeged, Hungary on Saturday. He came in second just over 1.1 second after the winner, Mykhaylo Koshman from Ukraine. The 22-year-old Czech complained about a poor start but worked his way up to the second place which he retained until the finish. Koranda said he was sorry 5,000 metres was not an Olympic event as his second place would qualify him for next year’s London Olympics. In the Olympic 1,000 metre race, the Czech dropped out in the semifinal, now hoping he will yet be able to qualify for the Games.