Well this really won't take too long as there really weren't that many interesting ties and also some of the teams weren't at full strength for varying reasons like Andy Murray who was too scared to face the chorus music in Buenos Aires. Nadal couldn't be bothered in Peru and Master Federer doesn't believe in Davis Cup unless he can be the saviour.
Russia vs. Serbia 3-2 : No surprise that the Russians won especially with Djokovic and Tipsarevic not playing on Day 1 due to illness and injury respectively. Djokovic made an appearance in the doubles with Zimonjic and then played the 4th match and once Davydenko started to get some momentum and he retired from the match due to his illness. No need to play Marseille for him, but he will anyway. Zimonjic and Troicki did an excellent job in tough circumstances, now they play at the Czechs at home on clay.
Czech Republic vs. Belgium 3-2 : Good that the Czechs have finally made a QF of the World Group again and they have a very good unit with Berdman, Stepanek, Dlouhy and Vizner and I think next time against the Russians on clay that Dlouhy/Vizner should play instead of asking Berdych and Stepanek for the doubles, as they will be needed on Day 3. This one was done and dusted by the doubles and the Czechs had fun at the bar on Saturday night.
Argentina vs. UK 4-1 : Baker the Scotsman defeating Calleri in the 5th match was the highlight for this tie and the Argies might be shattered that there was no 5-0 in this tie.
Sweden vs Isreal 3-2: Lack of a number 2 singles player cost the Israelis here and good to see that the old fox Bjorkman was able to preserve World Group status for the Swedes, who go back to Argentina for a drubbing on clay in the quarter finals.
Germany vs. Korea 3-2 : Never in doubt for the Germans and Kohli had too much class on the clay for the Koreans.
Spain vs. Peru 5-0: Too much depth for the Spanish team and also the fact that the Peruvian warrior Lucho Horna injured his arm on the warm up and couldn't play on Day 1 hampered any chance of the Peruvians making it to Day 3 as a live rubber, will be interesting to see what the surface the Germans use this time around.
France vs. Romania 5-0: Tsonga had a very successful debut for the French team and they will be hopeful he can keep that up in future DC ties and too classy for the Romanians.
USA vs. Austria 4-1: Clownish performance by the Austrians at home. They had enough chances to be leading 2-0 after Day 1 and somehow they managed to be 0-2 down after Melzer up a break in the 5th set against Roddick and making too many errors wasn't stable enough to overcome his nemesis.
Koubek leading 7-5 5-2, then loses the 3rd and 4th sets 6-2 6-2 with an effort that looked like he didn't compete at all and was too passive. There are questions that need to be asked of Gilbert Schaller's leadership when Koubek was struggling, this was where Muster would have been able to get the best out of him, but this wasn't the case.
The Bryans slapped around Knowle and Melzer like they were gimps at a bondage party, the dead rubber well Eschauer didn't do himself any favours losing to Bob Bryan.
The Quarters should be more interesting.
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