In Sports News this Monday: the Czech Republic’s Lukáš Dlouhý and India’s Leander Paes take the doubles title at the US Open, their second Grand Slam of the year; Tomáš Rosický scores on an impressive return for Arsenal – former international team-mate Vladimír Šmicer tells us he hopes Rosický can avoid injury all season; Czechs Barbora Špotáková and Jaroslav Bába take silver medals in the javelin and high jump at the World Athletics Final; and Vítkovice top the table after three rounds of the new Extraliga season.
US Open doubles title second Grand Slam of year, and career, for Czech Lukáš Dlouhý
Leander Paes, Lukáš Dlouhý (right), photo: CTK
The Czech tennis player Lukáš Dlouhý and his Indian partner Leander Paes have taken the doubles title at the US Open. Dlouhý and Paes were forced to come from behind in the final, eventually beating Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles 3-6 6-3 6-2. Victory at Flushing Meadows will have been sweet for Dlouhý, who was on the losing side in the final there last year and the year before. What’s more, Sunday’s success follows victory in the French Open earlier this year, which was the first Grand Slam title of Lukáš Dlouhý’s career.
“They can’t be compared. Both titles are at the same level, but winning your first Grand Slam, having the first one under your belt, is a great feeling…You can’t compare them, because they’re two different tournaments. I’m glad that we managed to win two out of four Grand Slam tournaments in one year – I’m incredibly happy about it”
Rosický scores on return for Arsenal after lengthy spell on sidelines
Manchester City's Craig Bellamy and Arsenal's Tomáš Rosický (right), photo: CTK
The captain of the Czech international football team, Tomáš Rosický, made an impressive return to England’s Premier League on Saturday, when he scored for Arsenal in his first outing for the club after over a year and a half out of the game with a serious knee injury. Rosický, who had appeared for the Czechs in a 7:0 drubbing of San Marino in midweek, came on as a second-half substitute for Arsenal in a much anticipated clash with Manchester City. The midfielder, 29 next month, helped set up Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie for one goal before finding the net himself in the closing minutes. By that stage Man City were well in control of a game that ended 4:2, but nevertheless many in the Czech Republic have welcomed the return of Rosický – among them, his former international team-mate Vladimír Šmicer.
“I was commentating on TV on the game, Arsenal against Manchester City, and when he came on the pitch I said, hopefully he’ll be OK, you know, no more injuries. In the end he made one decisive pass and scored a goal. Of course, Arsenal lost but I was very happy for him. Hopefully he will stay fit for the rest of the season and that he can show what a great talent he is.”
Czechs Špotáková and Jaroslav Bába take silver medals at World Athletics Final in Greece
Jaroslav Bába
The Czech athletes Barbora Špotáková and Jaroslav Bába ended the season on a high as both took silver medals at the World Athletics Final in the Greek city of Thessaloniki on Saturday. Olympic champion Špotáková came second in the women’s javelin, just as she had at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin; meanwhile, Bába, the Czech record holder, finished in second place in the men’s high jump. As well as those silver medals, the two Czechs took home USD 20,000 each.
Vítkovice lead Extraliga after three rounds
Kometa Brno - Sparta Prague, photo: CTK
The Czech elite ice hockey league the Extraliga got underway after the summer break last week. With three rounds played, Vítkovice are in front after beating Plzeň 5:2 at home on Sunday. Elsewhere, newly promoted Kometa Brno lost 4:1 to Sparta Prague, their third defeat in a row, Slavia Prague came from 2:0 down to beat Litvínov 4:2, and Dominik Hašek’s Pardubice lost 4:3 in overtime to title holders Karlovy Vary.
Petr Sýkora signs one-year deal with Minnesota
Petr Sýkora, photo: Miroslav Konvalina, Czech Radio
Petr Sýkora has just signed a one-year contract with Minnesota Wild. The right wing won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh Penguins this year, before being let go by the club. Minnesota is the sixth NHL club of the 29-year-old’s career to date.
