I'm not slacking, its Davis Cup week!
Well this, like the Grand Slams and a slew of other times during the year is a bit of a different week for my blog. Those of you who may be VERY interested in this (as it's extremely exciting) can head to www.daviscup.org and find out ALL about it.
OR sit back and relax and I'll run over the initial matchups and some interesting points about it without leaving this fantastic website!
World Group 2009 - 1st round
United States vs. Switzerland - Federer @ USA
An almost certain loss for the US has been averted by Federer electing not to play due to his back injury. The fans lose out on this one in Alabama, but the entire USA team wins... and probably with ease. (though Stanislas is no slouch!)
Argentina vs. Netherlands @ Argentina
This is a slam dunk for Argentina, if they lose this I'll stand on my head for the rest of this broadcast. (hopefully some of you remember that move by McEnroe...)
Czech Republic vs. France @ Czech Republic
A fairly heavy favorite goes to France on a talent level, however on a very tough Czech team you have Stepanek who has just recently gotten to the finals and won an ATP event. As long as Gasquet doesn't play for France, they should win... and Gasquet just pulled out of his last event so I'd imagine he'll sit.
Croatia vs. Chile @ Croatia
On INDOOR hard courts in Croatia (good choice btw) I have to take the massive serves of Cilic, Karlovic and Ancic to pull this one out. Personally I'd have Ancic as my #2 man as the Dr. (Ivo) is too risky. On a clay court, this match swings entirely the other way, but I'd certainly be impressed if Chile could pull this off.
Sweden vs. Israel @ Sweden
Ill bet on Israel in Dudi Sela, but this will be tight.
Romania vs. Russia @ Romania
I've got to pick Russia with talent in Safin, Tursunov, and Youshny... but don't underestimate the instability of Marat, and the play of big serving Hanescu. That being said, it'd be a big BIG upset for Romania to pull this out!
Germany Vs. Austria @ Germany
Tough one here... though I'll go Germany in a battle.
Spain vs. Serbia @ Spain
Obviously played on red clay here we have a BATTLE. Nadal has elected not to play which tips the favor to Novak and team Serbia... But i simply can't count Ferrer and Robredo out. Robredo has won 2 ATP's in the last month and is absolutely on fire... and Ferrer on Red clay is scary for any man. Team Spain is hoping and praying its the hottest day of the year. I give the edge to Spain, even without Nadal. (btw Spain, Verdasco might be a decent addition to your team)
Other Interesting Matchup
India vs. Chinese Taipei @ Chinese Taipei
Up and commer Somdev Devvarman, the two time NCAA National Champion from Virginia, leads the Indian team into Kaohsiung. The famous doubles team of Paes and Bhupathi have put their differences aside (for the past year or two) and have decided to put their country first and play doubles together again, which means almost a SURE point for India.
Chinese Taipei has Lu who is currently ranked #59 and Chen at #374.
DevVarman of India is currently ranked #150 and Bopanna #324. Look for DevVarman to win this match for India.
One last interesting fact is that DevVarman's teammate last year at Virginia Sanam Singh has been named to the Indian Davis Cup Team for the first time and will most likely be a backup singles player.
Good luck India, and GO HOOS!
16 Comments:
Very interesting! I didn't know all the Davis Cup matches occurred at the same time. I'd be really bummed if I had tickets to watch Fed play and he pulled out. Have the Swiss led by Fed ever won a Davis Cup title?
The Davis cup is an awesome format that tests players grit. I've been hoping James Blake would get better and learn to adjust his game but he's all out. Master Blaster I call him. The U.S. is very lucky we have the Bryan brothers playing doubles. I look forward to watching the upcoming matches.
JR
Nadal is back in so this should make the Spain vs. Serbia match really interesting. --CheesePotatoes
Yeah i saw that... imo not really interesting any more, as i can't see Djoker beating him at home on red clay, but we'll see!
Yeah, too bad fed isn't playing...why wouldn't he want to go to Alabama??
Anyways, I don't think it would have been a certain loss though Jason. Yes, Fed wins both his matches but I would take Roddick over Wawrinka and the Bryans over Fed/Wawrinka in dubs (yes they did upset them at the Olympics, but not in the states for Davis Cup). Which leaves us with Blake vs. Wawrinka, and with a home crowd I would favor Blake in a close one...alas, we will never see this.
But you can send me $20.
Don't underestimate Wawrinka. Clearly Fed is a massive favorite to win both matches... hard to argue with that. I'd say Roddick is about a 60/40 favorite over Stan and i'd say Blake is 50/50. I'd give you the Bryans win is a huge favorite as well... but still it lookED grim for the USA. Glad we won't see it.
Davis cup rocks....I just wish more highly ranked players took it seriously. It also needs better television coverage- no respect!
Even though im a US fan it sucks Federer pulled out. Im still looking to Holland for the upset win vs Argentina!!
I like the prediction of the Netherlands over Argentina but you missed it! Keep predictions coming as i love to see what others are thinking!
Not having the Spain/Serbia or US/Suisse match on TV is embarassing to say the least.
Go India!
Wawrinka really had a tough time with Roddick, who, in his old age, has become quite a steady player. Back that up with a huge serve, and you still have a formula for winning matches. The question is whether Wawrinka played poorly or whether he's not as good as he appears to be.
Is mainland China part of the Davis Cup? Seems like they are really ramping up their women's program but I haven't been to aware of the men yet.
The Davis Cup has a main tier of 16 teams. You can qualify to be one of the 16 teams. It's likely mainland China hasn't qualified, needing stronger players to get in the main draw.
OK Jason, now you are slacking. The Indian Wells tourney is coming up, and where's the preview?! ;) Too bad I don't get the channels that's covering this tournament. I'm suffering from pro tennis withdrawal!
I see that you guys are from the States. I'm currently living in England, I've been watching the GB team in the Davis Cup (without Andy) and we were totally outplayed.
We always seem to have one player at a time who is world class, we don't see to have strength and depth in out squad. I was wondering what your views were regarding the British Davis cup team and what they need to do to get to a position where we actually win.
Thanks
Alex
Alex, thanks for your comment. I'll do my best to respond here.. as I've spent several months in GB playing futures hopefully I have a little bit of input.
The general stereotype of players from GB are that they are soft. It seems they don't put a ton of emphasis on their physical conditioning, or their mental training. Instead it seems like they work on form and perfecting technique non stop.
Obviously this is a stereotype so take it with a grain of salt, but GB has put SO much money and funding into getting the best technical coaches in the world working for their federation... and still nobody knows how to win. Murray is heading down a much improved track with his physical conditioning but mentally (while improving) he still is a ways behind. Americans in general have a somewhat similar problem in that usually we're in much better physical condition but spend in inordinate amount of time drilling and doing specific on court drills that when it comes to a match.. we dont know how to win. There is also of course an issue in America with who we give our WC's to and the USTA being horribly partial... but I digress.
Lots of places that put a little bit less emphasis on technique and form have better results in that they play matches all day long and learn how to win, not necessarily the best way to strike every ball.
Jason,
I totally agree with your comments regarding british coach's focusing far too much on technique.
When i first started playing i remember hitting my backhand in lessons for 6 months straight. I now have a technically sound backhand but i use this shot in the wrong places on the court (low short balls etc).
I think the only reason Andy is doing so well is that he went with Djokovic to spain and trained.
Hopefully the LTA will stop just giving these guys money and make them work for it.
For example alex bogdanovic has been with the LTA for years, had loads of funding, wild cards etc, and still hasnt won anything worth while really.
Alex
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