The Czech Republic is famed for its battling tennis stars. Ivan Lendl and Martina Navratilova were two players who, although defecting from their home country, have shown what a breeding ground that country can be!. 

Petr Korda was the last Czech men's player to win a Grand Slam event back in 1998, and 10 years on can the talented Tomas Berdych repeat this feat? i think he may have a chance.

Berdych is well known for being an under-achiever so far in his professional career. He has only won three tournaments so far. The Czech player's problems seems to be the big matches, where nerves seems to get the better of him. He has career victories over some of the best players in the world, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick. He has reached numerous quarter-finals, semis and finals. But his lack of tournament wins shows he needs to be more confident when in the later stages of events.

'The 6ft 5ins giant of a player did reach his best finish in a Grand Slam event last year with a quarter-final birth at Wimbledon'


His Grand Slam success has been even less satisfactory for the 23-year-old. Berdych, before last year, failed to get past the last 16 in any of the Grand Slam events, but to be fair the majority of his fourth round opponents have been the elitelikke Federer and other top 10 players.

However, if Berdych is to realsie his dream of winning a Grand Slam, he needs to be able to beat the best in the business - and consistently. Berdych can play on any surface like most champions. His three tournament wins have all come on different surfaces, the grass of Halle in Germany, the clay of Palermo in Italy and the indoor carpets of Paris, France. 

The 6ft 5ins giant of a player did reach his best finish in a Grand Slam event last year with a quarter-final birth at Wimbledon. Unforunatley for Berdych he came acorss an inspired Rafael Nadal who was still revelling in his comeback victory against Robin Soderling of Sweden in the previous round.

Berdych has powerful groundstrokes and a big serve, but against Nadal couldn't produce when it mattered. He had to retire injured at the US Open when he had powered his way into the fourth round, and this year in the Austrlain open he was in good form before Federer got in his way again in the fourth round.

Tomas also reached semi-finals in Tokyo, Bangkok, Munich and Monte Carlo as well as quarter-finals in Basel and Rome. If only Berdych could have won a couple more matches in these events he would see himself as a top five player rather just top 10.

He is so much better than what he has achieved. He just needs to relaaise this before it's too late. Last year Berdych had wins over Youzhny, Massu, Baghdatis, Robredo and Ancic but the Czech player needs to start beating the Nadals, Djokovics and Federers of the our in order to win the big events. 

Let's hope he can reach his potential and put the Czech Republic back on the tennis map where it belongs. Tomas is too good not to be a top five player and I think he can achieve this feat this year if he can play his best tennis and control his nerves.