Davis Cup 2011
This time of the tennis calendar is contentious, no matter what seems to happen with Davis Cup, there is some form of whining albeit in different forms.
Lets start with the usual excuses, the top players don’t want to play, so lets make some changes because many of them are over pampered and putting their careers first, which is naturally their choice. These have included stuff like giving the players ranking points was a joke initially and still is a joke, just a way of getting them to play. The schedule is another excuse that prevents them playing, but the schedule has been shit for years and not going to change at any point soon.
2011 will be different in having a higher participation rate than usual, so they are eligible to play at the 2012 Olympics. As for other incentives been spoken about are moronic things like playing at one venue, which will further dilute the unique Davis Cup qualities but not surprising in the least in the world of homogenisation within the tennis sphere. So, how will the federations the smaller ones especially gain any revenue if they aren’t able to host Davis Cup ties in their own countries. Yes, there are definite problems about how the money filters through down to the tennis development level, if it doesn’t end up being pocketed by federation people who should be facilitating tennis development and not their bank balances.
The other one that gets trotted out a lot is to play it every 2 years, who does this benefit? It’s not like it’s going to make it any more prestigious winning the Davis Cup. The timing of the 1st round has changed, it used to be first week after the Australian Open and could see how this was problematic for the superstars, so they changed it and still it hasn’t changed the participation rate of these guys. Even better when it’s Roger “I care and love the history of the game” Federer, who routinely turns his back on committing properly to Switzerland in Davis Cup, considering Davis Cup is one of the most historical events in tennis, then this is misleading at best or hypocritical at worst.
One thing that could be done for the World Group is reduce it to 14 teams instead of 16. This would give the finalists a bye to the quarter finals and then they would play the 6 winners of the 1st round ties. Yes, it’s a reward for making the finals but the quarter finalists and first round losers in World Group would have to playoff for their spots in the World Group against the zonal winners as happens now.
Onto the ties, some of these won’t be very long to discuss.
Serbia vs. India
This should have been played this on clay, just to compound the beating that will take place. Then again if it was on clay, then Slobodan Zivojinovic could have come out of retirement in his 110kg frame and still win a match.
Paes/Bhupati will be the best chance for a victory to the Indians, who have done well to gain a place in the World Group. Djokovic loves playing for his country and the people of Novi Sad will be breaking out the rakija on Day 2.
Sweden vs. Russia
The Russians aren’t the force they were in recent times with the Colonel retiring from Davis Cup play and Davydenko in poor form. They have a team of Andreev who has been playing on the clay all season, not having great results, the tsunami Gabashvili where anything can and will happen with him. Kunitsyn who peaks for the Kremlin Cup and Tursunov, who has been improving after long term injury problems. It’s far from their strongest team but still a competitive unit.
As the great man Robert “Brad Pitt” Lindstedt said after his calf problem, things are desperate they need me to play Davis Cup. While he was joking, the facts are the Swedes need him, especially in absence of a reliable number 2 to Robin Söderling since Vinciguerra has virtually retired and Pim-PIm Johansson who is playing here, just don’t know how long he lasts before he breaks down.
This will be a very fast indoor court which the Russians won’t mind, but the Toad Söderling should win both his singles and the Swedes are better in the doubles, at least this tie has potential to be tight.
Czech Republic vs. Kazakhstan
The two man Czech team that was very common in the last 2 seasons of Berdych and sexy Stepanek won’t be on show here, as Thunder Lips Stepanek won’t be playing. So Jaro Navratil will have some juggling to do here with the second singles players. Normally it would be the :Prostejov King” Jan Hajek, who hasn’t been performing at all this season, well he has been performing tricks but that's another story, and Vesely is in the squad.
Russia 2 aka Kazakhstan Golubev, Korolev, Kukushkin and Schukin are all Russian. Apart from Schukin the other 3 don’t mind the ballbashing and this can work well indoors, but the Czechs should get home and finally Lukas “Dropshot” Dlouhy should be playing doubles with Berdych and this combo will get the cash for the Czechs and they will need the Sexy one back for the quarter finals.
Argentina vs. Romania
Not even close to the golden generation of Argentine tennis but this will be a comfortable win for them. Nalle and Monaco should play singles, maybe Chela and Schwank can play doubles or one of the reverse singles.
The Romanians will enjoy Buenos Aires it’s a great city, dulce de leche, great beef and fine women, because tennistically this won’t be too enjoyable. Andrei Pavel might as well play singles here.
Chile vs. USA
Too bad the big Chilean teddy bear as he was called once Fernando Gonzalez is out of the game for this one. With him perhaps he could have been inspired to win both singles and he could carry Massu in the doubles, where they always have the 2004 memories of winning doubles gold medals making a total of 0 volleys.
Marcelo Rios really should have been picked despite the back problem. As it stands Capdeville, Massu and Aguilar don’t have the goods to upset the Americans. In spite of Roddick moving like a constipated elephant on the clay, the best chance for the Chileans would be if one of the Bryans had to play singles. This scenario isn’t likely.
Belgium vs. Spain
Spain will win this fairly comfortably, the surface isn’t quick enough and the Belgians will have to maybe poison the Spaniards to win here. If Nadal has to play a live match on Day 3, then this is a success.
Croatia vs. Germany
Along with the Sweden/Russia tie, this has the best potential for a close result. Interesting they chose Zagreb where the crowd isn’t as volatile as they are in Split, and the conditions don’t favour any one team more than the other.
Cilic will start for Croatia and will be interesting to see how Dodig handles his Davis Cup debut. Two years ago, if someone said Dodig would be playing a live DC rubber then they’d ask you who their drug dealer was. I’m very happy for him for working so hard with limited ability. He won’t forget 2011 winning his first title in Zagreb and also playing a live Davis Cup tie. Karlovic should be playing the doubles.
Interesting or maybe not so interesting fact the whole German team are Bavarians and yes all of then Bayern Münich fans. Kohli, Florian “German Gigolo 2” Mayer, Picasso Petzschner and Kas. Picasso and Kas will more than likely play doubles, they have played quite a few times, leaving the other 2 to play singles.
Lots of possible interesting scenarios here, but Croatia should get it done, not that this is said with great confidence.
Austria vs. France
Two questions need to be raised here. Are there that many things going on in Vienna, that they have to play in the airport hangar. Yes, I was there and remember when they played a match in September at Prater Park. The hangar doesn’t quite have the same ring as the bullring in Nimes which the French once used, though better than the carpark that was used once by Spain.
Other question is whether Jürger Melzer will be Melzer or Melzclown which is something that has been too apparent in recent times when it comes to Davis Cup. He had his best year in 2010 and needs to build on that, especially since “El Fashionista” Koubek is on his last legs and Martin Fischer isn’t quite up to it.
As for France, they aren’t in the greatest shape got Simon who is allegedly injured he is almost as injured as Nadal. Llodra not at his best on clay, Benneteau who is still coming back from a long injury break and Jeremy Chardy who should be the captain of the French baseball or cricket team. Lucky this tie is indoors as Chardy would be hitting the aeroplanes trying to take off or land.
Melzer is the key to this tie, and he is comfortable in the doubles with Knowle. If he plays to his ability then Austria has great chances, if he shows his previous DC form then the French will be picking up ladies in the Viennese clubs and playing the reverse singles drunk.
Will add pictures later and there will be another Davis Cup entry tomorrow.
4 comments:
Haha very snarky! :P Still waiting for the pictures :D
I agree it would be exciting to have the Croatia v Germany Davis cup tie in Split. I was in Split when Croatia played Serbia last year. Crazy, very entertaining to be honest!
If Kamke was playing for Germany I might actually support the German team, but he's not so Idemo :)
A bit of a shame so many great DC players not playing, like Gonzalez or Stepanek. Should be fun as always, with many unpredictable results... hehe
Poor Chardy, he really got slated in this one. Fortunately for the planes he isn't likely to get a call up.
Agrees with Rosie very snarky, but good.
Djokovic pulled out, and so did Bhupathi and Paes.
Won't make much of a difference though. They should let people in for free if they want an audience...
Don't know what to expect from Dodig in DC.
I fancy Austria's chances
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