DAVIS CUP 2012: THE SEMI-FINALS

The sun is up in the sky, people are going to work, birds are singing in the trees and the little green ball keeps flying across the net.

We'll leave Andy Murray and Britain to savour the long-awaited slam happy times as long as they need to. It was that kind of wait, the time can stop for a while.

The rest have shaken the New York dust off their sandals and spread to all corners of the Earth, the most interesting ones in Spain and Argentina where semi-final Davis Cup matches are played this weekend.

14-16 September 2012

SPAIN are playing UNITED STATES in Gijon (sounds a bit French to me). With no Nadal, and a "new" US team led by the also new captain Courier, clay and home turf don't look mission impossible for the Americans.

Spanish team: Ferrer, Almagro, Granollers, M. Lopez
US team: Isner, Querrey, Brian brothers

surface: red clay, outdoors

Day one and three sessions start at 10.00 GMT, day two, 12.00



ARGENTINA are hosting CZECH REPUBLIC in Buenos Aires, also on outdoor red clay. The Argentians want this trophy more than anybody, I think. They have played the semi-finals and finals for the last 3 years, most memorable one last year's loss in Agentina against Spain. No Nalbandian on Argentinean team confirms the tension that had been brewing there for years.

Czechs have an excellent team, and may just prolong Argentian wait for another year.

Argentinian team: Del Potro, Monaco, Berlocq, Schwank

Czech team: Berdych, Stepanek, Rosol The Great, Minar

Day 1 and 3 sessions at 13.45 GMT, day 2 15.30

Argentina lost last year's Davis Cup final against Spain and has lost a
record four finals. The Czechs lost to Spain in the 2009 final, but won
the Davis Cup in 1980 as Czechoslovakia.



In group one, some very interesting matches played for play-off to secure reimaining in World Group for next year:



Switzerland - Netherlands Italy - Chile

Canada - South Africa Russia - Brazil

Israel - Japan Sweden - Belgium

Germany - Australia Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan

Federer is confirmed to play for the Swiss.


Official website:
http://www.daviscup.com/en/home.aspx

noleisthebest wrote:
SPAIN are playing UNITED STATES in Gijon (sounds a bit French to me). With no Nadal, and a "new" US team led by the also new captain Courier, clay and home turf don't look mission impossible for the Americans.

Spanish team: Ferrer, Almagro, Granollers, M. Lopez
US team: Isner, Querrey, Brian brothers

surface: red clay, outdoors

Day one and three sessions start at 10.00 GMT, day two, 12.00

Ferrer hold the key for Spain and is highly likely to give them a 2 matches in their favour. He can beat both Isner and Querry. Spain_USA 2-0

Brayan should win their doubles match against Lopez and Granollers ( likely) Spain-USA 2-1

Isner will have to beat Almagro. It wont be easy especially against a noisy Spanish crowd. He did it against a Swiss crowd. Lets take him to win. 2-2

Then Query holds the key then. I don't expect him to beat Almagro. So in that case spain-usa 3-2.

I reckon Isner could beat Ferrer.

noleisthebest wrote:I reckon Isner could beat Ferrer.

So Isner will have to beat both Ferrer and Almagro on slow clay against a highly noisy spanish crowd in 2 bo5 matches with only 1 day of rest? Query will lose to both. Very tough ask.

My realistic scoreline would be Spain-USA 4-1. At best 3-2.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:I reckon Isner could beat Ferrer.

So Isner will have to beat both Ferrer and Almagro on slow clay against a highly noisy spanish crowd in 2 bo5 matches with only 1 day of rest? Query will lose to both. Very tough ask.

My realistic scoreline would be Spain-USA 4-1. At best 3-2.

Both Querrey (who is playing well again after the long injury break) and Isner are very good clay-courters contrary to all logic and popular belief , so it should be good!

noleisthebest wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:I reckon Isner could beat Ferrer.

So Isner will have to beat both Ferrer and Almagro on slow clay against a highly noisy spanish crowd in 2 bo5 matches with only 1 day of rest? Query will lose to both. Very tough ask.

My realistic scoreline would be Spain-USA 4-1. At best 3-2.

Both Querrey (who is playing well again after the long injury break) and Isner are very good clay-courters contrary to all logic and popular belief , so it should be good!

I mostly expect Isner to edge out 1 match. His returning is poor and he always needs to play long draining matches. I don't think he will have the energy to stay with Ferrer, especially if that his 2nd match.

But lets see.

Argentina-Czech Republic is much more closer in my opinion.

Yes, both Berdych and Delpo playing well.

Actually the match between them could be a classic! Looking forward to it!

sphairistike wrote:Actually the match between them could be a classic! Looking forward to it!

There is a news from Argentina that Delpo is having problem with his wrist, so not sure if he plays DC. Then Czechs have a chance to win it if Berd wins both singles and a double with Stepanek. We, have a last chance to win it, Stepanek very probably will not play singles in DC next year. If we play with Spain, then play at home and without the injured one. So, pretty chance for the second DC for Czechs!

Del Potro opens against Stepanek, the second singles is between Juan Monaco against Tomas Berdych .

The doubles on Saturday will - Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank against Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol. The reverse singles are
on Sunday.

noleisthebest wrote:Del Potro opens against Stepanek, the second singles is between Juan Monaco against Tomas Berdych .

The doubles on Saturday will - Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank against Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol. The reverse singles are
on Sunday.

Stepanek will play with Berdych the double for sure. I have doubts about playing Stepanek against Delpo. I sense that Stepanek will retire or will be blown away. I would give Rosol the chance to play with Delpo. Stepanek would be fresh for the double and for Sunday´s single. It is not a good nomination.

You're right, Step has zero chance against Delpo, and Rosol is pretty good on clay.

noleisthebest wrote:You're right, Step has zero chance against Delpo, and Rosol is pretty good on clay.

I see that Stepanek wanted to play, he has the last chance to win DC. So, he will probably die on the court

Even death would not help, I'm afraid....he'd be better off in doubles.

noleisthebest wrote:Even death would not help, I'm afraid....he'd be better off in doubles.

He will play doubles for sure unless he dies, hopefully not

I agree, I am not happy with the choice of the order of play with that the Czech team chose. But maybe they do not want to get the classic unless they really need it...

Live streaming available from DC website !!!!

http://www.itfteamevents.tv/page/DavisCup/Home?WT.mc_id=DCHomebar

currently available to watch: Federer De Baker, Stebe Tomic, Ferrer Querrey

Shower in Holland, Luthi sitting next to rugged up Fed holding the umbrella for him...what a sight!
Play to restart. NO, it's getting worse...court being covered...

Delpo will play
despite the left wrist problem.
"What I need (to do) to recover is rest as my doctor has already told
me but I'll try to leave that for later on," Del Potro said after
practising with the team at Parque Roca, the venue for the tie.

"It's something beautiful to be able to play here in Argentina and
I'm going to make the effort for the crowd and try to give my best,"
added the 2009 U.S. Open champion, who had surgery on his right wrist in
2010."


Deeeelpo

I thought it was his left wrist that was hurting recently. Has now got his problem on the right one again?

Tenez wrote:I thought it was his left wrist that was hurting recently. Has now got his problem on the right one again?

It IS the left one.

Too many breaks going on in Fed-Thimmo match.

Wind is howling in the match. Fed finding it difficult to serve. Both players are. Is there something wrong with the clay? I've never seen players struggle so much to move on clay.

Fed wins. Thimmo played well. Conditions looked very difficult to play. Windy, rainy, and court slippery.

I saw th elast few games and Fed played very relaxed knowing de Bakker was not going to hurt him.

I am looking at Delpo with Step the second set. Delpo won the first 6:4. Stepanek plays a quite decent tennis. The clay is so slow, that they are not able to play winners. Step plays very solid active tennis and goes often to the net and it works for him. They know each other well, they play doubles together sometimes. It would not have to be so easy for Delpo.

After Delpo´s match, there is a match between Berdych and Monaco.

Step is such a talent!!! An artist.

Paul,
any inside stories from Czech press surrounding this match?

Argentina and Spain win their ifrst singles matches; Delpo beats Step in straights, Ferrer grinds Isner in 4, losing the first set.

noleisthebest wrote:Paul,
any inside stories from Czech press surrounding this match?

Nitb, I read a interview with Stepanek and he believed in himself to win the first match with Delpo. He really wanted to play with Delpo and thinks that he can play 3 matches 5 BO within 3 days at his nearly 34. Because our DC captain Navrátil, who looks like being sleeping during the matches, is not decisive person, he left the decision on Step. And we know that Step is a kind of weirdo I am convinced that the decision to nominate Step on the first match was bad. Rosol was fresh and ready to play and could be well prepared on clay. He had enough time to get used to clay after not successful qualification in US open.

I am looking at the match Berd with Monaco, it is 1:1 and 4:1 for Monaco in the third, and Berd is not playin well. The chance is too thin now, it is pity

Tomas Berd beat Monaco 6:4 in the fifth set. Congratulation to Tomas, well done. It was a really tough match and our chance is still alive

paulcz wrote:. Because our DC captain Navrátil, who looks like being sleeping during the matches, is not decisive person, he left the decision on Step. And we know that Step is a kind of weirdo I am convinced that the decision to nominate Step on the first match was bad.

Yes I remember the Czech coach from the match against Serbia, esp his mullet haircut

paulcz wrote:Tomas Berd beat Monaco 6:4 in the fifth set. Congratulation to Tomas, well done. It was a really tough match and our chance is still alive

One thing that annoys me with DC is that they play doubles in the middle. I mean only one match for a prime day like Saturday....

USA Spain 0:2 (Isner suffered a bruising 5 set loss to Almagro)
Czech Rep. Argentina 1: 1

Brian brothers win the doubles rubber, so it's 2:1 to Spain befoe the singles matches tomorrow.


Argentina playing Czeck's doubles at the moment, the match has just started, 4:3 in the first set.

Looks like Berd and Step are going to be playing their DC matches three days in a row as they are leading 2:0 and 3:0 in the third set.

So, exciting matches today as both rubbers are alive!

first tomorrow, match of the day, a must win for Delpotro who will be playing a potentially a little tired Berdych.

Followed by Stepanek vs Monaco.


In Spain, a must win match for Isner who plays Ferrer followed by
Almagro vs Querrey.

Berd is a key for playing Czechs in DC final. He played the double well today, he was the best player on the court. I am looking forward to tomorrow match with Delpo. It will depend on legs and lungs (wrists) and then nerves, which could be affected by audience. The game of both looks very good and very similar. Looking forward to it.

paulcz wrote:Berd is a key for playing Czechs in DC final. He played the double well today, he was the best player on the court. I am looking forward to tomorrow match with Delpo. It will depend on legs and lungs (wrists) and then nerves, which could be affected by audience. The game of both looks very good and very similar. Looking forward to it.

Who do you think is a better server/returner of the two?
I don't remember Berd much on clay, what was the clay in Buenos Aires, slow?

noleisthebest wrote:

paulcz wrote:Berd is a key for playing Czechs in DC final. He played the double well today, he was the best player on the court. I am looking forward to tomorrow match with Delpo. It will depend on legs and lungs (wrists) and then nerves, which could be affected by audience. The game of both looks very good and very similar. Looking forward to it.

Who do you think is a better server/returner of the two?
I don't remember Berd much on clay, what was the clay in Buenos Aires, slow?

I saw more than half of Berd´s match with Monaco and the court seemed to be slow. But here is the effect of US open, so I think the clay hardness is about medium. Monaco had a match in his hands, he was leading in the fourth set 4:2, but he choked. Berdych plays his best tennis and looks good moving on clay. If Delpo is not limited by his wrist and play his patient aggresive more variable game than Berd, he should do it. Berd is serving and returning well atm, but has today´s double in his legs. I really think that Delpo and Berd are quite close atm. Their match will be a great battle

Monaco is a very good clay-courter, and I really like watching him on clay, esp his drop-shots. He's one of the nicest guys on tour.

I think Berd will be 100% tomorrow, es as Delpo's left wrist is sore, so that annuls the home crowd advantage in some way.

Monaco was so close yesterday that I nearly had regret for him. He was 0:4 down in the fifth set and was serving when 4:5, but Berd´s very good return got Monaco into defense. The ball before the matchpoint showed how much Monaco wanted to win it. Berd played hard long FH inside out and Monaco on a slide in desperate position throwed away his racket and ended up on his back. Monaco is good player but all his strikes are better average, but not great. And that is difference between TOP4 and the rest.

I am not a big fan of Berd and it is worse with Step, but must say that Tomas has improved his game recently and is looking much more comfortable on courts atm. I also played on his home courts and hall and know people who lived close to him, when he was young. So, it is for me a bit touching to watch his career. I heard from many his the same aged players that he was not a big talent when was about 10, but he had good body parametres and played always aggresive game and succeeded by bashing. All our tennis experts expected more from him. I have heard that he has some hips limitation and therefore he can not move well. On the other hand some say that he is too lazy to train more and critised him. So, now he has a great possibility to show that they are wrong.

Inoticed he has a funny stiff movement just before he serves, the way he stands sideways, collects himself and then serves. and it looks very unathletic when he does it.
See, another thing even the players don't notice about themselves no wonder the all have to come here and read about it!

I'm sure Ivan's wife has better things to do, tough

Seemingly that tomorrow match could have a different cast from Argentine side. Their coach said after double, that Delpo will not play tomorrow. Berlocq should play instead, quite interisting. Let´s see tomorrow. If Berd does not choke during the match, then he will get Czechs final, quite sure. But that is is DC and you know, it is never easy.I could see a certain sign of Berd´s fatigue when he failed with some smashes at the end of today´s match. It is pity for Argentina anyway.

Argentina should've done it two years ago when they played Spain (without Nadal) in the final IN ARGENTINA, but apparently there was a bad atmosphere in Argentinian team because of Nalbandian wanting to be the coach...which is why he probably is not in the team any more....so it's all of their own making.

Anyway, it should be a good match tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure Delpo will play.

noleisthebest wrote:Inoticed he has a funny stiff movement just before he serves, the way he stands sideways, collects himself and then serves. and it looks very unathletic when he does it.
See, another thing even the players don't notice about themselves no wonder the all have to come here and read about it!

I'm sure Ivan's wife has better things to do, tough

When I saw Berd on live, he looked like a peasant with rocket. When he throws a ball before serving it looks like in slowed down film. He has no option to stay on the court than to dictate the game, unless he would be broken up.

Ivan twitters with Andy about tennis 16 hours and his wife..., hmm who knows

paulcz wrote:

Ivan twitters with Andy about tennis 16 hours and his wife..., hmm who knows

I'll try and intercept some of those tweets, and see what the mother in law thinks about a certain paulcz from OTF

btw, "peasant with a rocket" is so funny!

What do you think of the two guys in his team, Krupa and the other one. Last year I sat very close to them in the WTF match against Nole, and they were making some really strange noises to cheer him up.

He may be a peasant and a basher, but he bashes that ball beautifully and doesn't moonball it like some....

Fed has to seal it it for the Swiss team and he is likely to do it. Else it may be too much pressure for wawrinka to handle.. the DC crowd is maddening and We have seen how he lost to Young against a huge US crowd.

Block buster on cards in the Berdy-Delpo match. They always have had close battles. This on is huge. Looking fwd very much to it.