Le Davis Cup Thread

[temporary21]

Britain... France... world cup or summat I guess

More importantly the French are on cloud nine, a Frenchman in the Wimb semis and youre on fast Grass, so what do you do?

http://www.daviscup.com/en/news/208220.aspx


You dont pick him for the singles...

[whocares]

am not too fussed about Gasquet not playing one of the first singles (he might still play on sunday). Simon and Tsonga are in relative good form (at least fitness wise) while Gasquet took a a few days break after his semi. However am not sure about seeing him in a very critical double game considering I do not recall him playing with Mahut before... Simon doing an ok job so far having won the 1st set and beeing a break up in the 2nd against Ward.

[whocares]

solid performance from Simon in a straight set win. FFT should think of renting Queens for future "home" games given the "home" support they get there.

[whocares]

worth noting that whoever wins that contest might face Kazaksthan next (who's leading 2-0 in Australia)

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray squares the tie up at 1-1 after he beats Tsonga in straight sets (now 11-2 to Murray in the head-to-head between the pair).

[sirfredperry]

Smith must put Andy in the doubles tomorrow. No good "saving" him for the singles and then we lose the doubles. Can't see Ward beating Tsonga, so it's all on the doubles.

[LuvSports!]

Jamie has pulled out some exceptional volleys. Much more adept in that department than Andy.

[Guest]

Who shot Andy in the nuts??

Cmon man suck it up!

[LuvSports!]

2-1 GB!

[slashermcguirk]

Andrew castle is such a Muppet!!! I wish peter Fleming would deck him. Most annoying commentator of all time, when will BBC get rid of him???

[LuvSports!]

Haha!
He would have the reach on him at 6'5 vs 6'3.

[alfie]

British Tennis = Scotland = The Murray Family ?

Bit like Zimbabwe , in a sense

But you really have to admire the job these lads are doing : surely they're making it two to one with another Murray singles to come tomorrow , and an excellent chance of a semifinal.

How far can they go ?

[slashermcguirk]

It is all Andy Murray in fairness. I don't think much of Jamie Murray, very average in my opinion

[alfie]

Backs his brother up pretty well in doubles , though.

[alfie]

Job done. Hope Andy hasn't taken too much out of himself for tomorrow.
Wonder if Gasquet will be be subbed in for the singles tomorrow ?

[LuvSports!]

Jamie was the man of that match Slasher, not sure what you are on about. 

Andy will get the headlines IF they win, and well done to him, but Dan Evans and especially James Ward & doubles teams are the heroes who made this even possible with their wins over Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Slovakia.

Ward again vs USA (x2) was fantastic.

[alfie]

Yeah I was being a bit facetious , to be honest . Ward , Evans etc deserve a lot of credit for their efforts in bringing the team this far. I'd love to see Ward win his singles tomorrow - though I hope it doesn't come down to him !
Against Kazakstan (?) or Australia - either would be at home , I think ? - Ward might have a big part to play.

[Guest]

Jamie was on fine form today. It has been awhile for him. Serving was spot on and the volleys were on the money. Good to see him on song. A solid doubles player who lost his form and confidence.

[CaledonianCraig]

Jamie was the man of that match Slasher, not sure what you are on about. 

Andy will get the headlines IF they win, and well done to him, but Dan Evans and especially James Ward & doubles teams are the heroes who made this even possible with their wins over Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Slovakia.

Ward again vs USA (x2) was fantastic.

Sorry but I am puzzled by this post. Not too long ago lots here were keen to push Hewitt's winning the Davis Cup as a great achievement even though he did it in a team littered with players ranked well inside the top 50. But now it is play down Murray's influence and Ward and Evans are the heroes?

[LuvSports!]

I think it was a bigger achievement from those lower ranked guys to pull off the scalps they did, starting from africa/euro group 2 (w/o Andy) and getting them into this position.

Murray is expected to win, and as i said deserves credit but I feel their work will be overshadowed.

[CaledonianCraig]

I think it was a bigger achievement from those lower ranked guys to pull off the scalps they did, starting from africa/euro group 2 (w/o Andy) and getting them into this position.

Murray is expected to win, and as i said deserves credit but I feel their work will be overshadowed.

Well that depends though. In this tie (the semi) it looks all ends up if GB win that Murray will have played a part in winning all three points so there will be no overshadowing in this instance most definitely. The earlier ties in which Ward got wins he got plenty of praise as did Evans. If you wish I can dig out the reports as evidence for you.

[laverfan]

Murray, out of Big 4, needs a DC in his cabinet, too. Credit to ALL Team GBR so far, for an excellent effort.

[sirfredperry]

Looks like it might be Australia after all that GB would face in a semi as the Aussies have pulled it back to 2-2 in their q-f, after Kazakh led 2-0. Can't believe Kyrgios lost his first singles to a guy I've never heard of.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray, out of Big 4, needs a DC in his cabinet, too. Credit to ALL Team GBR so far, for an excellent effort.

But if he doesn't...well I say meh. I guarantee that none of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer would have won Davis Cups if they had the same players Murray has had in his team. Harsh but unarguable.

[HM Murdock]

Murray, out of Big 4, needs a DC in his cabinet, too. Credit to ALL Team GBR so far, for an excellent effort.

I disagree with this. Davis Cup is no measure of greatness.

I find it odd that that nobody really claims that a DC win elevates players such as Troicki, Stepanek or Lopez to a higher tier but not having a DC win is seen by some as a gap in the record of players with much bigger achievements.

It's like the Olympics. It didn't mean anything when it was being won by the likes of Massu, Rosset or even Agassi.

But when Rafa and Andy won, suddenly it seemed to become an important title.

Slams count a lot, weeks at #1 count a little, Masters and WTF add some context. Everything else is a bauble.

[slashermcguirk]

The Olympic medal is the most over rated prize in tennis. It should never be a part of the Olympics to start with.

[sirfredperry]

Lleyton Hewitt, with a straight-sets win, has taken Australia to a 3-2 victory over Kazhakstan and thru to a DC semi with, hopefully, GB. Britain would be at home but it's gonna be a lot tougher against Aus than Kazakh.

[temporary21]

Inspired moved from th Aussies, dropping Kyrgios and Kokkinakis for Groth and Hewitt and they pull it off. Harsh on Kokinnakis, he didnt do anything wrong really, Groth is actually ranked higher but Nick needs a kick up the proverbial!

The davis cup is a team effort, once you start thinking about what it means for players careers individually, or which player is the star of the show, youve lost the whole point of the tournament, Hewitt understands that and its why he is now THE best australian davis cup player ever.

A win would be wonderful for the whole gb team, France still wont field Gasquet, I wonder if he would replace the slightly injured Tsonga if theres a decider

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Simon up a break in the first set here - excellent start by the French

[temporary21]

Storming start by Simon but he's just hyperextended his knee here and getting treatment

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Simon looks like he's hyper extended his knee here

[CaledonianCraig]

Doesn't look good for Simon. I hope this doesn't affect the match in anyway.

[CaledonianCraig]

Simon looks to be moving fine and he takes first set 6-4.

[alfie]

Not going to be a walk in the park for Murray. Simon in some form and he's had a days rest.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Murray seems intent on half heartedly hitting everything into the net

[Guest]

It's all on Ward!!

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray seems intent on half heartedly hitting everything into the net

 

Yup and without him France would already be in the semis. Benefit of having a stronger side is that you can rest your best players for the singles. Murray never had that luxury.

[temporary21]

Murray can barely find the court tbh, just so wildly inconsistent. This will go to a deciung rubber.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Murray seems intent on half heartedly hitting everything into the net

 

Yup and without him France would already be in the semis. Benefit of having a stronger side is that you can rest your best players for the singles. Murray never had that luxury.

So apparently making a comment on how he's playing means I'm slagging him off?

C'mon Craig

[temporary21]

I mean he's more than capable, and has often pulled this out of the Fire, but he needs to calm down

[temporary21]

Lads come on.

[temporary21]

Saying that Simon is a menace right now. Is this the best form of his life ?

[Guest]

Murray's body language right now is as limp as a geriatrics dick!

[temporary21]

Tbh this might not be all murray here. He looks dead on his feet, yet might have to consider not playing him in the doubles anymore

[Guest]

I'd share that view if he was the more accomplished doubles player in that team. Plus he plays doubles at Slams too. Why engage in long rallies when your energy is down? That's what I would be questioning. Yes the risk increases going for broke, but I would if I knew my energy is below my opponent.

[temporary21]

Inglot and Jamie Murray should be a good enough doubles team. Simon is making it impossible to go for broke, fabulous counterpunching. Muzz breaks back but on his haunches!

[Guest]

That point right there. Andy keeping the ball low. Giving Simon nothing to hit through. Let that be a lesson Andy.

[CaledonianCraig]

I'd share that view if he was the more accomplished doubles player in that team. Plus he plays doubles at Slams too. Why engage in long rallies when your energy is down? That's what I would be questioning. Yes the risk increases going for broke, but I would if I knew my energy is below my opponent.

I do see what you are saying but leopards can't change their spots.

The other day Peter Fleming argued that Dom Inglot should play in the doubles and keep Murray fresh for the singles. Andrew Castle was all for Murray playing the doubles as happened but the pair argued about it quite a bit. Fleming looks to have been spot on as Murray looks out on his feet now. Guts alone are keeping him afloat.

[Guest]

Inglot is more serve orientated. Once it breaks down, it's like carrying a plank of wood. Marray would've been a good shout.

[CaledonianCraig]

Inglot is more serve orientated. Once it breaks down, it's like carrying a plank of wood. Marray would've been a good shout.

But Marray wasn't in the team so it was either Inglot or Murray.

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