Sports News

In Sports News: Czech tennis player Berdych wins his first ever ATP tournament, just a fortnight after his 19th birthday; hard man defender Tomas Repka looks set to return to the Czech international football team, though Patrik Berger's agent says the midfielder is unlike to do likewise; leading Czech racing driver Tomas Enge crashes in his first Indy Racing League race.

Sports News

Upcoming Czech tennis player Berdych, 19, wins first ATP tournament

Tomas Berdych, photo: CTK

Czech tennis player Tomas Berdych has won his first ever ATP tournament, just two weeks after his 19th birthday. Berdych, who comes from Prostejov in Moravia, beat Italy's Fillipo Volandri 6-3 6-3 in the final of the Sicily International on Sunday. He had never previously got past the quarterfinals of any tournament, but he did make the headlines at the Athens Olympics, where he knocked out world number one Roger Federer.

One of Monday's papers points out that Berdych has won his first ATP tournament at a younger age than Czech legend Ivan Lendl, with whom he is often compared. Lendl won his first title at 20.

Tomas Berdych is now ranked 34th in the world and is expected to end the season in the top 30, something he describes as "unbelievable". By the way, the current Czech number one Jiri Novak is now 28th in the world rankings, having been in the top ten two years ago.

Repka set for international return...

Tomas Enge, photo: CTK

As the Czech football squad gathers in Prague to prepare for two important World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Armenia, it seems ever more likely that Tomas Repka will make a return to the national team, whose defence certainly needs bolstering. The West Ham player - who seemed to burn his bridges with the Czech FA three years ago - has been talking to coach Karel Bruckner, and is currently on a visit to Prague. Known as a hot-headed hard man, Repka says he decided to change his life during the summer and is no longer a rebel.

...but Berger unlikely to play for Czech Republic again

There was speculation that Patrik Berger - who, by the way, scored for Portsmouth with a brilliant free kick at the weekend - might also return to the Czech team. That became a possibility after the retirement of Pavel Nedved, with whom Berger does not get on. However, his agent says an international comeback is out of the question for the classy midfielder.

Enge begins Indy Racing League career with crash

Czech racing driver Tomas Enge failed to complete his first race in the Indy Racing League category in Florida on Sunday. Enge - still the only Czech who has ever taken part in Formula 1 racing - crashed with just six laps to go in the 400-mile race.