In Sports News: the rising Czech tennis star Nicole Vaidisova takes her biggest scalp to date at the French Open; Tomas Berdych loses to Roger Federer in Paris; the Czech team win their last friendly before leaving for the World Cup on Tuesday; and decathlete Roman Sebrle comes first at a meeting in France.
Vaidisova causes sensation with win over world number one...
Nicole Vaidisova, photo: CTK
The rising Czech tennis star Nicole Vaidisova caused a sensation when she beat world number one Amelie Mauresmo in the fourth round of the French Open on Sunday. Though she has six WTA titles to her name, the 17-year-old had never previously beaten such a big star. But she had to work hard for that success, coming from a set down to win 6-7 6-1 6-2 and reach her first ever Grand Slam quarter-finals.
"You're a bit nervous at the beginning of course, but during the break after the first set I breathed deeply and relaxed. I told myself to forget the first set and concentrate on getting back into the game. It worked out and I'm really glad."
Nicole Vaidisova will now take on Venus Williams for a place in the semi-finals.
...while Berdych is knocked out by men's number one in Paris
Tomas Berdych, photo: CTK
By coincidence leading Czech men's player Tomas Berdych also faced the world number one in the third round on Sunday. But Berdych didn't fare as well as Vaidisova: he was crushed 6-3 6-2 6-3 by Roger Federer. That means no Czech men start the second week at Roland Garros.
Czechs beat Trinidad and Tobago in Prague before leaving for World Cup
Czech Republic - Trinidad and Tobago, photo: CTK
The Czech Republic beat Trinidad and Tobago 3:0 in Prague in the last of their warm-up games before football's World Cup. All the goals came in the first half, one from Pavel Nedved and two from Jan Koller. Koller, the country's record scorer, has now stretched his tally to a very impressive 42 goals. His strike partner Milan Baros joins Tomas Rosicky and Tomas Galasek on the treatment table, after picking up a knock in Saturday's game.
The Czech team leave for Germany on Tuesday; they'll be staying by a lake in Westerburg, which is around 120 km from Cologne, the venue for their first game, against the USA. They will also drive to their second match, against Ghana in Gelsenkirchen, but will have to fly to Hamburg, where they take on Italy in their last group game.
Pesek comes third in Italian Grand Prix
Lukas Pesek (right), photo: CTK
The Czech motorcyclist Lukas Pesek finished third in the 125 cc category at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. The 20-year-old said he was a bit disappointed with the result, after starting the race in pole position.
Sebrle comes first in France
Roman Sebrle, photo: CTK
Czech decathlete Roman Sebrle is third in this year's world table after coming first at a meeting in France's Arles at the weekend. Sebrle achieved a time of 10.79 seconds in the 100 m, a result which will not be recognised due to strong backwinds during the race.
