[jole]

Here are some audio interviews:

Karol Beck - http://www.daviscup.com/shared/media...C_5073_mp3.MP3

Dominik Hrbaty - http://www.daviscup.com/shared/media...C_5069_mp3.MP3

Karol Kucera - http://www.daviscup.com/shared/media...C_5064_mp3.MP3

[Scotso]

Karol sounds so adorable

[MonikaVa]

Originally Posted by KarolBeckFan

Karol sounds so adorable

You think? He seemed to me rather pissed yeasterday on his own press conference, since obviously he wasn´t told about the teams press conference and drove home to Zvolen instead to visit his physiotherapist....

[Scotso]

pissed or not pissed, he has a nice voice

[Scotso]

Monika, what is the word on Karol's "doping" is it pure bullshit or what?

[MonikaVa]

Originally Posted by KarolBeckFan

Monika, what is the word on Karol's "doping" is it pure bullshit or what?

This has been going around here since October, and right now there are some speculations about it too, but what seems to be more important is his knee injury. We will know tommorow how it does really look like when they do the draw for the weekend.

[Scotso]

This is like a nightmare for me.

I hope it isn't true. I really hope it isn't true. And I hope it doesn't ruin his career.

I wonder if they're trying to get Karol out because of this. Hopefully we'll hear more about this soon.

[MonikaVa]

Originally Posted by KarolBeckFan

This is like a nightmare for me.

I hope it isn't true. I really hope it isn't true. And I hope it doesn't ruin his career.

I wonder if they're trying to get Karol out because of this. Hopefully we'll hear more about this soon.

I am trying to stay positive and still believe that all this rumours about Beckys playing or not are actually deliberate tacticts of Mecir to get the Croats confused about who will play since he made all the difference against Argentina (at least until today 11am).

[MonikaVa]

Originally Posted by KarolBeckFan

This is like a nightmare for me.

I hope it isn't true. I really hope it isn't true. And I hope it doesn't ruin his career.

I wonder if they're trying to get Karol out because of this. Hopefully we'll hear more about this soon.

To relieve your suffering, this is the DC Finals draw with Beckys playing as I expected (everything else just typical rumours...)

Friday
13.45 h opening ceremony
Karol Beck - Ivan Ljubičič
Dominik Hrbatý - Mario Ančič

Saturday
15.00
Karol Beck, Michal Mertiňák - Mario Ančič, Ivan Ljubičič

Sunday
14.00
Dominik Hrbatý - Ivan Ljubičič
Karol Beck - Mario Ančič

[Scotso]

go Karol

thanks Monika!

[Scotso]

Beck denies doping rumour before Davis Cup final
Thu Dec 1, 2005 1:44 PM GMT
By Martyn Herman

BRATISLAVA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Slovakia's number two Karol Beck denied failing a dope test earlier this year after being selected on Thursday to play in the Davis Cup final against Croatia.

On Wednesday rumours circulated concerning a possible positive test given by Beck during the semi-final against Argentina in Bratislava, prompting suggestions that 31-year-old Karol Kucera would play in his place.

Beck, the world number 57, had been a doubt for the tie after struggling to overcome a knee injury that has sidelined him since the St Petersburg Open in October.

However at Thursday's draw inside Bratislava Castle, Slovakia captain Miloslav Mecir picked Beck, who will open the tie on Friday against Croatia's world number nine Ivan Ljubicic.

Asked if he had given a positive test, Beck said: "No!"

Of the speculation, he added: "I wasn't surprised because I sort of expected this kind of issue. I have been dealing with this for over two weeks.

"I am concentrating on the match, I mean, I feel fine. I had trouble with my knee, it was aching quite a lot. But over the last few days things have improved significantly. I'm looking forward to the match and hope we win."

Mecir said he had decided his line-up on Thursday morning, adding that the rumours surrounding Beck had been an unfortunate distraction.

"It's really unpleasant to answer questions like this," the former U.S. Open runner-up said. "I don't know the source of the information.

"Definitely it brings an element of discomfort to the team, to the team spirit, but we try to overcome it with our spirit."

LOSING RECORD

Beck has a 1-3 losing record against Ljubicic and will have to break the Croat's 100 percent record in this year's competition if he is to give the hosts a winning start.

"Ljubicic is a great player, his indoor record is absolutely awesome," said 23-year-old Beck. "I have to play at my best to be able to beat him.

"But we also have to take into consideration that Davis Cup is different. There is the psychological element. I will do my best and we'll see what comes out of it."

Providing his knee injury does not flare up, Beck will play in Saturday's doubles with Michal Mertinak and face Mario Ancic in the second reverse singles on Sunday.

[jole]

Friday ends with the score being tied 1-1.

Ivan Ljubicic d. Karol Kucera 6-3 6-4 6-3

Karol Kucera tried his best, but in reality it was not too realistic to expect him to be able to compete against someone like Ljubicic. Karol did make it respectable though. Good try.

Dominik Hrbaty d. Mario Ancic 7-6(4) 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4

Dominik then took on Ancic. Dominik played almost flawless, as he never faced a single break point the entire match. Ancic had 30+ aces, but Dominik still managed to break him a decent amount of times, and took the match in 4 sets. Way to show them what you're made of, Dominik.

[thelma]

[jole]

Thanks for the great piccies, Thelma!

[Scotso]

Beckster was there, yes?

I'm happy for Dom de Dom Dom Hopefully he'll beat Ljubicic and shut him up.