LK's Top 10 Tennis Moments of 2011 #10 - Kazakhstan Upset Czech Republic on Davis Cup World Group Debut

Well it was only back in 2009 when Kazakhstan lost to Chinese Tapei in the Asia/Oceania Group 1, before they won their last 2 matches against China PR and Korea Republic. They then went on and defeated Switzerland 5-0 in a World Group Play Off last year who were without Federer and with Wawrinka succumbing to Kukushkin in 5.

They only made their debut back in 1995 after split of the Soviet Union years prior to that. 2011 saw Kazakhstan make their long awaited debut in the World Group. Coming up against a Czech Republic side with an inspired Berdych who was now a top 10 player. The tie was poised at 2-1 to the Czechs when Andrey Golubev ranked nearly 150 places below Tomas Berdych pulled off a stunning 4 set victory to the amazement of the Czech crowd. All was set at 2-2 Jan Hajek with a 3/3 DC record stepped up against Mikhali Kukushkin who was making headways into the top 100. Kukushkin won in 4 and handed Kazakhstan their first ever World Group victory before being humbled by 5-0 by Argentina. Credit must go to Golubev who played 9 sets of hard fought tennis.

Next year isn't easier. Their first fixture is against Spain.

Reading this I can understand why you were "disapointed" with my "Release Roger" article...