Davis Cup Fri Jan 31/Feb 1 and 2

Fabulous match in world group between Kazakhstan and visitors Belgium. It went to a final set which Golubev finally took 12-10 to give K a 2-0 lead in the tie. Goffin had numerous MPs (at least five) on the Golubev serve in that final set but G held on and finally got the break at 11-10. Goffin then saved four MPs before G eventually got the match after more than four and a half hours.
  Fed - a last-minute entry for Switzerland - had a tussle with Serbia's Ilija Bozoljac (no, I'd not heard of him either) before winning 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. The Serb, serving plenty of aces, broke Fed early in the second and Rog was 2-5 down facing set point. But he then took seven games in a row and eased through in the end.
   Have said before the DC should not be played every year but there is no doubt the players who choose to play in it really give their all. Doubt the Kazakh crowd considered it was a pointless tournament when their man finally pulled through today.

That sounds like fun was had by all! Bozoljac got to 5-2 with a set point against Federer in front of what I can guess was an enthusiastic home crowd... and Fed got to win the set from that position  

The big match is on later

legendkillarV2 wrote:The big match is on later

Many years since GB won a world group tie. Obviously it's a bit easier now Isner is out for the USA, but with the Bryans favourite for the doubles GB has to conjure another win from somewhere assuming Andy wins his matches.

2014 AO Champion, Wawrinka tied at 1 set apiece with Lajovic.

Tsonga beats Hewitt in straight sets to give France a 2-0 lead.

2-1 in sets to stan

Third-set Swiss breadstick for young Lajovic.

Very likely that Zimonjic, with his experience, and young Krajinovic in toe, can get a point on board for SRB.

Lajovic wants to push this to the fifth set.

stan wins

At 4-2 in 4th set TB, looked like Stan had hurt his right arm. He pushed through in TB to win it 9-7.

SUI is 2-0 in the tie.

Lajovic. Good to see a fight.

Mayer-Lopez seems to be a good fight as well.

Wow! What a fight by Lopez. Come on Spain   

I want Spain to win to keep the dream of the dream Davis Cup final alive  

Gwan Florian!

Murray v Young has just started and it looks like they're playing on treacle because the court is so slow.  Andy seems to be the aggressor for once and is making Young move a lot early doors.  Tight first game.

A little funny oddity - Murray's by far the best British player in living memory so what exactly does Leon Smith say to him whilst Jimbo Courier is talking to Young?

Murray breaks to lead 2-0. He's already looking a class above Young and the crowd have already gone quiet (well, quiet for Americans ).

Young playing woeful tennis and Murray is giving him no freebies. 4-0.

Murray looking ok on the red stuff. Young the sacrificial lamb

The Special Juan wrote:A little funny oddity - Murray's by far the best British player in living memory so what exactly does Leon Smith say to him whilst Jimbo Courier is talking to Young?

You're never too good to be coached! Coaches and spectators can often see things that the players don't, and vice-versa. Otherwise it could just be psychological affirmation and so forth. Or perhaps just 'er...well, keep at it, Andy'

Point taken though, it's still weird to see.

Young with a game on the board! Let's see how many he can get.

"Donald Young is 1-11 in tour level matches on clay."

Great start by Murray. 6-1

Silver wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:A little funny oddity - Murray's by far the best British player in living memory so what exactly does Leon Smith say to him whilst Jimbo Courier is talking to Young?

You're never too good to be coached! Coaches and spectators can often see things that the players don't, and vice-versa. Otherwise it could just be psychological affirmation and so forth. Or perhaps just 'er...well, keep at it, Andy'

Point taken though, it's still weird to see.

"Did you watch Eastenders last night Andy?"

"Uhhhh yeah..."

Young opening his shoulders. This should be fun

Right, I'll watch the rest of this when I get home.

Murray breaks Young in the 2nd. Looking like a formality now

That FH miss must've hurt Young 4-1 Murray

Murray takes the 2nd 6-2

Did Murray play a shot left-handed a couple of games ago?

Not that I saw. Did something happen that I missed?

At 5-1 up, the BBC text says this
"Things are getting a bit ridiculous when Murray starts playing left-handed, flipping his racquet between hands to retrieve a smash in the best tradition of Ronnie O'Sullivan."

I missed that one!

Spain has to rely on WTF 2013 doubles champions Verdasco/Marrero to get a point back from Haas/Brands. Kohli can seal it in the fourth, unless Bad Attitude turns up (like he did against Del Po).

Berd ties it 1-1 for CZE.

GSM Murray.

Saw the last two sets and Murray worked the Young backhand with good results. 
   Bet Switzerland were relieved, with Fed saving a set point in the second set and Stan benefiting from a double fault from his opponent which would have taken his match into a final set.

Is that the same Swiss team that are favourites to win the whole thing?

Clearly, the key match in the GB V USA tie will be Young V Ward. In my opinion whoever wins that match will win the tie.

...Stately Wayne Manor, home of Bruce Wayne and his young ward, Dick Grayson....

JuliusHMarx wrote:Is that the same Swiss team that are favourites to win the whole thing?

If you believe HE, yes. The Swiss duo should just be handed the trophy.

Ward takes the second set on a tie-break against Sam Querrey. Back level at one set all.

Really can't understand the reasoning for US to play this tie on clay. OK, Isner (not available - injured?) has some decent results on clay but it is certainly not the preferred surface of most of their squad. Whilst its clearly not Murray's best surface either he's hardly going to lose a singles rubber to any of their players on the surface.

Interesting to see that Federer has played for Switzerland against (a severely depleted) Serbia. The Swiss have a decent chance this year if Federer can turn up for their ties. With Spain on the brink and Serbia out early there's a real chance for the likes of France and Switzerland this year.

Wow, what a turn around in the 4th!
Can Querry handle the pressure now?

Isner's decent on the stuff, and to be fair to the US when they picked the surface he was expected to be available (injured).

great fightback from Ward to take the fourth! Querrey looking a little lost at the moment, and if Ward takes this one it's hard to see a way back for the US...

Ward serving for the match

What a win from James Ward!

Ward played brilliantly. He deserved that - a feather in his career cap. Wish he could do that on the main tour - but well done Ward. Well done Leon Smith, Well done Murray - I am sure he gave him some advice.

beautiful tennis from Ward! As soon as he took Querrey's serve away from him (early-ish in the fourth) the American seemed to run out of ideas, and Ward runs out a fully deserved winner. He's building quite a decent record in fifth setters is Ward (now 4-2). Even better, he's tired out Querrey nicely ahead of Sunday's potentially decisive rubber against Murray (assuming the doubles don't get the job done first).

Shout out also to Leon Smith who did another great job today, both in his selections and his on-court input. Jim who?

I don't care much for DC but congrats to your boys on a great start to their weekend.