PRAGUE (AP)—Radek Stepanek has recovered from neck surgery and is expected to play doubles for defending champion Czech Republic in the Davis Cup quarterfinals against Kazakhstan.
Stepanek, who had surgery on Jan. 28, is likely to team up again with Tomas Berdych for the April 5-7 matchup on an indoor clay court in Astana.
Stepanek and Berdych played all five matches when the Czechs beat Spain 3-2 in the final last November in Prague.
Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil said Tuesday that Stepanek is likely to play doubles this time. He also called up Jan Hajek, Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol.
Kazakhstan is the last team that beat the Czechs, upsetting the hosts 3-2 in the first round in 2011.