Metz kicks off the indoor season
The first European indoor event of the year in Metz, located in the north east of France. The usual thing of the titleholder not coming back here to defend the title has happened again, at the same time not exactly how many people will miss Tommy Robredo to be honest.
It’s not a bad field and I have decided to focus on this event, because Choupi will be going to Metz for a few days and we (the readers) love fan reports that tell us more about what’s going on at the event, then the stock standard press release.
Some interesting first round matches for sure. Big Karlovic and Baghdatis, who is trying to finish off the year without more injury problems. He definitely won’t be getting any rhythm in this match, but he can practice his returns of serve.
Acasuso and Cañas, this one is very important for Davis Cup, as Chucho needs to get something out of this season, plus he can play quite well indoors and Willy isn’t at his best at the moment.
Ljubicic is making his comeback from back problems and he loves a roof. Ancic and Gulbis is an intriguing match, Ancic could be too steady for him.
Seppi and Calleri are there as well, hope for some good results in this event and even more so the fan reports.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Welcome back to the tour Stefan Koubek
Welcome back Koubek
Stefan Koubek has recovered from the back surgery and will be returning to the tour next week in the Mons Challenger and then like I wrote in my previous entry on him, he got the expected Wild Card into the Vienna.
It’s going to take him a bit of time to get back into the swing of things naturally and as he said in his last blog entry, that he is hitting the ball well, but lacking in conditioning. Well, one can always get fitter and two no matter the amount of training and rehab is done on the courts, it doesn’t beat match practice. He should be able to play some challengers at the end of the year as well and he will play in Melbourne with his protected ranking.
The most important thing is that his back surgery was successful and that he doesn’t feel any pain when he is playing, so I don’t expect too many big results straight away, but that it’s irrelevant compared to his health. I am just happy that he is back on court playing again.
Davis Cup Aftermath. Telenova where will Argentina play the final
Davis Cup
Huge surprise in the Davis Cup semi finals, well more so that Argentina needed the 5th match to defeat Russia, but doesn’t matter how the win happens, as long as they won. After Nalbandian carried the Argie team for many matches, it was great to see del Potro step up to the plate and play two outstanding matches crushing Davydenko and Andreev.
Spain won easily, but this had as much doubt as the next Pope being Catholic. Nadal toying with Roddick was top quality entertainment.
The real fun is now where the AAT will hold the final. The players and captain want to play indoors on a carpet or a fast hardcourt in Cordoba, which would be the preferred option. The crowd will be crazy there, starting early with the Fernet and Cola, but the venue is under the 14 000 the ITF want for a final, but there are ways around this. Other contenders are Luna Park in Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata.
It will be interesting to see what decision that clown Morea will come up with, the fact Mancini and the players were adamant the conditions they want to play in, has forced him to think about this more than he would have previously.
Huge surprise in the Davis Cup semi finals, well more so that Argentina needed the 5th match to defeat Russia, but doesn’t matter how the win happens, as long as they won. After Nalbandian carried the Argie team for many matches, it was great to see del Potro step up to the plate and play two outstanding matches crushing Davydenko and Andreev.
Spain won easily, but this had as much doubt as the next Pope being Catholic. Nadal toying with Roddick was top quality entertainment.
The real fun is now where the AAT will hold the final. The players and captain want to play indoors on a carpet or a fast hardcourt in Cordoba, which would be the preferred option. The crowd will be crazy there, starting early with the Fernet and Cola, but the venue is under the 14 000 the ITF want for a final, but there are ways around this. Other contenders are Luna Park in Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata.
It will be interesting to see what decision that clown Morea will come up with, the fact Mancini and the players were adamant the conditions they want to play in, has forced him to think about this more than he would have previously.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Davis Cup World Group Semi Finals
Argentina vs. Russia
This will be the competitive tie of the weekend and how it ends on Day 1 will be crucial. The Argentines have gone for experience in the form of Calleri and Cañas, something about the Davis Cup atmosphere brings the best out of Calleri and especially Nalbandian.
Del Potro’s huge improvement has come at the right time for Mancini when it comes to second singles options in this case, there was no real other option , if they were to make the final like I believe they will, then del Potro could be the number 1 ranked Argentine and that would make things interesting for the final.
Nalbandian is the glue of this team and has been for the longest time. This is the event, where he turns up to play, no shenanigans and thrives in this environment. His match with Andreev will be pivotal to how the tie goes. If it’s first match, it would be better, because del Potro would be more relaxed in his match with Davydenko, assuming that he plays on Day 1.
The Russians without Safin and Youzhny still bring a good team to Buenos Aires. It wouldn’t surprise if somehow Safin came out of nowhere and played in this tie. The crowd will be very hostile, but Andreev has had experience of this in Chile and will be the teams’ translator as well. The doubles could throw up a multitude of combinations, this will be dependant of Day 1 results as to what the captains will use.
With all these possible scenarios, the Argentines are favourites, though apart from del Potro, they aren’t in great form, but the home ground advantage and Nalbandian’s consistent play should get them over the line
Spain vs. USA
Only doing a preview of this tie for comedic purposes, because the only way Spain loses this, if their whole team is wiped out by some mysterious illness that only Boredo and Feli Lopez are immune to and they must play the tie.
Watching Roddick move on claycourt as effortlessly as an elephant on ice skates. No matter, how many times you see it, the viewer is bamboozled by the brilliance of the graceful movement, there should be warning before his matches “Please kids, don’t try this at home”.
At least big “Sam the studmuffin” Querrey is included in the team and will probably do better than the other guys in the team. He looks goofy and ungainly, but kudos to him for having a go on the clay last season and this season, he isn’t afraid of the clay unlike some of the Yanks.
Mardy Fish is there to be Roddick’s sidekick, clean his shoes, trim his nasal hair or others would say be his bitch, because he is definitely not going to star in a movie “A Fish called Mardy”, maybe he can come to Scandinavia and go a TV program “Fisker med Mardy Fish”, which means “Fishing with Mardy Fish”. Not sure whether he knows the true meaning of tackle in this case, and no, this does not mean huge men, wearing helmets and sniffing jockstraps running into each other, trying to prove some archaic form of manliness.
Hope the US enjoys their stay in Madrid, it’s quite a party city.
This will be the competitive tie of the weekend and how it ends on Day 1 will be crucial. The Argentines have gone for experience in the form of Calleri and Cañas, something about the Davis Cup atmosphere brings the best out of Calleri and especially Nalbandian.
Del Potro’s huge improvement has come at the right time for Mancini when it comes to second singles options in this case, there was no real other option , if they were to make the final like I believe they will, then del Potro could be the number 1 ranked Argentine and that would make things interesting for the final.
Nalbandian is the glue of this team and has been for the longest time. This is the event, where he turns up to play, no shenanigans and thrives in this environment. His match with Andreev will be pivotal to how the tie goes. If it’s first match, it would be better, because del Potro would be more relaxed in his match with Davydenko, assuming that he plays on Day 1.
The Russians without Safin and Youzhny still bring a good team to Buenos Aires. It wouldn’t surprise if somehow Safin came out of nowhere and played in this tie. The crowd will be very hostile, but Andreev has had experience of this in Chile and will be the teams’ translator as well. The doubles could throw up a multitude of combinations, this will be dependant of Day 1 results as to what the captains will use.
With all these possible scenarios, the Argentines are favourites, though apart from del Potro, they aren’t in great form, but the home ground advantage and Nalbandian’s consistent play should get them over the line
Spain vs. USA
Only doing a preview of this tie for comedic purposes, because the only way Spain loses this, if their whole team is wiped out by some mysterious illness that only Boredo and Feli Lopez are immune to and they must play the tie.
Watching Roddick move on claycourt as effortlessly as an elephant on ice skates. No matter, how many times you see it, the viewer is bamboozled by the brilliance of the graceful movement, there should be warning before his matches “Please kids, don’t try this at home”.
At least big “Sam the studmuffin” Querrey is included in the team and will probably do better than the other guys in the team. He looks goofy and ungainly, but kudos to him for having a go on the clay last season and this season, he isn’t afraid of the clay unlike some of the Yanks.
Mardy Fish is there to be Roddick’s sidekick, clean his shoes, trim his nasal hair or others would say be his bitch, because he is definitely not going to star in a movie “A Fish called Mardy”, maybe he can come to Scandinavia and go a TV program “Fisker med Mardy Fish”, which means “Fishing with Mardy Fish”. Not sure whether he knows the true meaning of tackle in this case, and no, this does not mean huge men, wearing helmets and sniffing jockstraps running into each other, trying to prove some archaic form of manliness.
Hope the US enjoys their stay in Madrid, it’s quite a party city.
Davis Cup World Group Promotion Round Preview and Match Reports
Yes, it’s back after a long break, got to deal with those motivational problems and no going down the pub and sinking a few brews isn’t always the best thing either, but enough of this.
It’s Davis Cup weekend, so as there are playoffs as well World Group semis for the big prize, so I will divide these entries into their respective sections. Because I am too lazy, I will be posting news of the ties in the respective posts, instead of writing new posts, because that requires effort.
Looking at the respective playoff ties, most of these have a very clear favourite, the only differences are the respective surfaces and what the scores will be.
Chile vs. Australia
It’s very disappointing that Hewitt isn’t available for this Davis Cup tie as he has had hip surgery and out for the rest of the season. He loves the team environment, which goes back to his days as a youngster in Adelaide, loving his Aussie rules football, plus he has had some great wins in DC over Guga Kuerten in Florianopolis and Albert Costa in Barcelona. The more hostile the crowd, the more he loves it and missing out here means, he hasn’t had the joy of being the away player in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Spain, where the crowds can get enthusiastic at worst.
Onto the tie, the Chileans will make it back to the World Group, just on the back of Fernando Gonzalez, who can carry a poor Massu, especially with the withdrawal of Hewitt. I wonder if Gildemeister will play Capdeville against the Gooch on Day 1 or will he stick with Massu.
The Aussies have a depleted team, with “Big Red” Guccione leading the team, sure he doesn’t mind a claycourt, but he’d would rather it be 2000m+ above sea level. Peter Luczak coming back after a stress fracture with the pelvis and not having much tennis in his system is another drawback for them in addition to the hostile environment.
The doubles will be funny with Gonzo and Massu slapping groundies from the baseline and”Big Red” with the “Blond Bomber” Sam Groth doing everything but hitting groundies.
Chile will win this easily, unless disqualified, but it will be a good experience for the Aussies.
UK vs. Austria
This won’t be pretty for the Austrians, though in Melzer and Peya they have two cats who don’t mind the grass courts, but both have an aversion to winning big matches, especially Melzer in Davis Cup.
Koubek is a big loss for the Austrian team, even on grass, because he has the capability of winning a match, at the same time he can lose to anyone anytime, get well soon Stef.
The British team has 2 Scots and a Serb, then again if it was all English, then they wouldn’t make the World Group consistently. Andy Murray should win his matches comfortably and if the Austrians get it to a live match on the 3rd day, then they will have done well.
Switzerland vs. Belgium
Superman Federer decides to pull on his cape and save Switzerland from going back through the playoffs again. He has done this many times before, last year it came unstuck against the Czechs and it was great that it did, maybe not for the Swiss tennis.
It would be good if he actually would play the 1st round matches of the World Group, but lets see what happens with that. No excuse about Wawrinka not being a good enough number 2 player, in fact he is the real Swiss #1 according to the masses.
The Belgians are just going over to Lausanne for a holiday, bring back some quality cheese and then they show the Swiss Frenchies how to make proper beer, that will be the best they can hope for.
Switzerland back in the World Group, but a guess whether big Fed will do something rare and play a 1st round match.
Croatia vs. Brazil
This is a good way for the Brazilian players to earn some more frequent flyer points with the trip to Zadar. It’s very generous of the Croats to host them there instead of Zagreb. It’s a nice walled city on the coast, they should be able to enjoy the off court action though not exactly about on court.
No doubt the Croats will have a very slick and fast surface to favour their tall timber in Karlovic, Ancic (if he plays) and Cilic. The best chance the Brazilians have of winning a match in Zadar is through the doubles with Melo and Sa.
The Croat fans should be prepared for the loud decibels of the Thiago Alves grunt, hope it doesn’t shatter the windows of homes in Bosnia and Montenegro, not sure if they have their windows double glazed. It will be interesting to see the mishits on the Bellucci groundstrokes with the ball coming through low and fast.
Israel vs. Peru
Peru will need Lucho to be at his very best to have a chance in this tie, especially as Chino Miranda has been ill lately and not had the match practice, though with his killer slice he isn’t afraid of the hardcourts. In addition to this Lucho has been in average form, but he lifts for Davis Cup and this is what is left in the 2008 season for him.
Dudi Sela, small in height, but big on courage really should get 2 wins here and the Erlich/Ram combination should be too solid for the Peruvians who will be brave, but ultimately outgunned, it would be good to be proven wrong.
Netherlands vs. Korea
The Dutch back to the WG in this one, sure Lee is a very seasoned and tough customer with calves like medicine balls, but it won’t be enough to get over the Dutchies, Huge preview there, but sometimes less is more.
Romania vs. India
This has the potential to be the sleeper tie of these play offs. The lack of Andrei Pavel is a big setback for the Romanians, with his experience in these situations, it would have been easier for the Romanians. Now Hanescu has the responsibility of getting the team through to the WG.
While clay is definitely not the Indians best surface, they have the youngster Somdev Devvarman who doesn’t mind playing on the clay and has been in good form this season. He is very steady and consistent, and I’d back him in a live 5th rubber to win it for India. As per usual Day 1 will be the key in this tie, especially if Somdev can upset Hanescu.
Slovakia vs. Serbia
The Serbs will be the only away team to win a tie during this weekend. They have a better all round team and not sure if even some Hrbaty heroics can stop the Serbs this time around from making the World Group.
Hopefully there are some close ties, this weekend, but the majority of them will more than likely be completed by the end of the doubles.
It’s Davis Cup weekend, so as there are playoffs as well World Group semis for the big prize, so I will divide these entries into their respective sections. Because I am too lazy, I will be posting news of the ties in the respective posts, instead of writing new posts, because that requires effort.
Looking at the respective playoff ties, most of these have a very clear favourite, the only differences are the respective surfaces and what the scores will be.
Chile vs. Australia
It’s very disappointing that Hewitt isn’t available for this Davis Cup tie as he has had hip surgery and out for the rest of the season. He loves the team environment, which goes back to his days as a youngster in Adelaide, loving his Aussie rules football, plus he has had some great wins in DC over Guga Kuerten in Florianopolis and Albert Costa in Barcelona. The more hostile the crowd, the more he loves it and missing out here means, he hasn’t had the joy of being the away player in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Spain, where the crowds can get enthusiastic at worst.
Onto the tie, the Chileans will make it back to the World Group, just on the back of Fernando Gonzalez, who can carry a poor Massu, especially with the withdrawal of Hewitt. I wonder if Gildemeister will play Capdeville against the Gooch on Day 1 or will he stick with Massu.
The Aussies have a depleted team, with “Big Red” Guccione leading the team, sure he doesn’t mind a claycourt, but he’d would rather it be 2000m+ above sea level. Peter Luczak coming back after a stress fracture with the pelvis and not having much tennis in his system is another drawback for them in addition to the hostile environment.
The doubles will be funny with Gonzo and Massu slapping groundies from the baseline and”Big Red” with the “Blond Bomber” Sam Groth doing everything but hitting groundies.
Chile will win this easily, unless disqualified, but it will be a good experience for the Aussies.
UK vs. Austria
This won’t be pretty for the Austrians, though in Melzer and Peya they have two cats who don’t mind the grass courts, but both have an aversion to winning big matches, especially Melzer in Davis Cup.
Koubek is a big loss for the Austrian team, even on grass, because he has the capability of winning a match, at the same time he can lose to anyone anytime, get well soon Stef.
The British team has 2 Scots and a Serb, then again if it was all English, then they wouldn’t make the World Group consistently. Andy Murray should win his matches comfortably and if the Austrians get it to a live match on the 3rd day, then they will have done well.
Switzerland vs. Belgium
Superman Federer decides to pull on his cape and save Switzerland from going back through the playoffs again. He has done this many times before, last year it came unstuck against the Czechs and it was great that it did, maybe not for the Swiss tennis.
It would be good if he actually would play the 1st round matches of the World Group, but lets see what happens with that. No excuse about Wawrinka not being a good enough number 2 player, in fact he is the real Swiss #1 according to the masses.
The Belgians are just going over to Lausanne for a holiday, bring back some quality cheese and then they show the Swiss Frenchies how to make proper beer, that will be the best they can hope for.
Switzerland back in the World Group, but a guess whether big Fed will do something rare and play a 1st round match.
Croatia vs. Brazil
This is a good way for the Brazilian players to earn some more frequent flyer points with the trip to Zadar. It’s very generous of the Croats to host them there instead of Zagreb. It’s a nice walled city on the coast, they should be able to enjoy the off court action though not exactly about on court.
No doubt the Croats will have a very slick and fast surface to favour their tall timber in Karlovic, Ancic (if he plays) and Cilic. The best chance the Brazilians have of winning a match in Zadar is through the doubles with Melo and Sa.
The Croat fans should be prepared for the loud decibels of the Thiago Alves grunt, hope it doesn’t shatter the windows of homes in Bosnia and Montenegro, not sure if they have their windows double glazed. It will be interesting to see the mishits on the Bellucci groundstrokes with the ball coming through low and fast.
Israel vs. Peru
Peru will need Lucho to be at his very best to have a chance in this tie, especially as Chino Miranda has been ill lately and not had the match practice, though with his killer slice he isn’t afraid of the hardcourts. In addition to this Lucho has been in average form, but he lifts for Davis Cup and this is what is left in the 2008 season for him.
Dudi Sela, small in height, but big on courage really should get 2 wins here and the Erlich/Ram combination should be too solid for the Peruvians who will be brave, but ultimately outgunned, it would be good to be proven wrong.
Netherlands vs. Korea
The Dutch back to the WG in this one, sure Lee is a very seasoned and tough customer with calves like medicine balls, but it won’t be enough to get over the Dutchies, Huge preview there, but sometimes less is more.
Romania vs. India
This has the potential to be the sleeper tie of these play offs. The lack of Andrei Pavel is a big setback for the Romanians, with his experience in these situations, it would have been easier for the Romanians. Now Hanescu has the responsibility of getting the team through to the WG.
While clay is definitely not the Indians best surface, they have the youngster Somdev Devvarman who doesn’t mind playing on the clay and has been in good form this season. He is very steady and consistent, and I’d back him in a live 5th rubber to win it for India. As per usual Day 1 will be the key in this tie, especially if Somdev can upset Hanescu.
Slovakia vs. Serbia
The Serbs will be the only away team to win a tie during this weekend. They have a better all round team and not sure if even some Hrbaty heroics can stop the Serbs this time around from making the World Group.
Hopefully there are some close ties, this weekend, but the majority of them will more than likely be completed by the end of the doubles.
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