DAVIS CUP: Round Two (Quaterfinals)

World Group:

5-7 April 2013

CANADA- ITALY (Thunderbird Sport Centre, Vancouver)
USA-SERBIA (Taco Bell Arena, Boise)
ARGENTINA-FRANCE (Parque Roca, Buenos Aires)
KAZAKSHTAN-CZECH REPUBLIC (National Tennis Centre, Astana)

Canada-Italy
Indoor (premier) hard

Canada and Italy will meet for the first time in Davis Cup as the 1976 champions look to reach their first World Group semifinal since 1998. Canada, meanwhile, is through to the World Group quarterfinals for the first time.

Start times:
Day 1: 1300 hrs (2000 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1400 hrs (2100 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1400 hrs (2100 hrs GMT)

Canada: Raonic, Pospisil, Nestor, Dancevic
Italy: Seppi, Fognini, Lorenzi, Bolelli

USA-Serbia
Indoor (premier) hard

Serbia and USA have met just once before, in Belgrade in 2010,and it was the hosts who prevailed as they set the ball rolling on a campaign that brought them their first Davis Cup title. USA, who last won the Davis Cup in 2007, will be looking to avenge that defeat and reach the semifinals for the second year running.

Start times:
Day 1: 1330 hrs (1930 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1300 hrs (1900 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1200 hrs (1800 hrs GMT)

USA: Querrey, Isner, Bryan brothers
SERBIA: Djokovic, Troicki, Zimonjic, Boziljac

Argentina-France
Outdoor, red clay

Argentina and France have met five times prior to this quarterfinal, with France winning all five meetings. The last time the two teams met was in Lyon, France in the 2010 semifinals and France comfortably won 5-0. This will be only the second time the two teams face off in Argentina, with France narrowly winning the last meeting in South America 3-2.

Start times:
Day 1: 1030 hrs (1330 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1230 hrs (1530 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1030 hrs (1330 hrs GMT)

Argentina: Monaco, Zeballos, Nalbandian, Berlocq
France: Tsonga, Gasquet, Benneteau, Llodra

Kazakhstan- Czech Republic
Indoor red clay

These two sides have played once before, in Czech Republic in 2011, andit was Kazakhstan who caused an upset, winning both of the reverse singles matches to claim victory. Czech Republic, last year's champions, will be looking to gain revenge and move into the semifinals.

Start times:
Day 1: 1200 hrs (0600 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1300 hrs (0700 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1400 hrs (0800 hrs GMT)

Kazakhstan: Kukshkin, Korolev, Golubev, Schukin
Czech Republic: (strangely only 3 players) Stepanek, Rosol, Hajek





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

Notable absences: Del Potro from Argentinian and Berdych from Czech teams.
Stepanek's return to tennis after surgery, will be tough for him without Berdych and just two other players on the team.

Americans chose ultra fast surface in high altitude location, to obviously suit their fast servers Isner and Querrey.

France coming out with a very strong team against the usually divided Argentinians. Seems like Nalbandian and Del Potro can't exist under the same roof.

Another beautifully put together piece kudos.

Very bizarre to see Delpo out of teh DC again. France has got a good chance to win the DC. It will be tough to play in Argentina with the noise and all that but it can be done.

Tenez wrote:Very bizarre to see Delpo out of teh DC again. France has got a good chance to win the DC. It will be tough to play in Argentina with the noise and all that but it can be done.

I wouldn't mind another 2010 final match-up. Would be played in France this time.

luvsports! wrote:Another beautifully put together piece kudos.

Thanks.
Let's hope Nadal fans enjoy this non-Nadal bashing topic and a weekend of great and exciting tennis

Simon replaces injured Gasquet in Davis Cup match agaist Argentina. Clemont doesn't cite which injury

So, tomorrow Tsonga starts against Berlocq, followed by Simon-Monaco.

8.30 PM, on legally fastest possible indoor hard courts:

Djokovic-Isner, followed by Troicki-Querrey

Boise sits at about 866 meters above sea level.Djokovic said Boise will be the highest altitude he's played in his career:

“I played in high altitude before in my life, but not matches, think in the tour we have Madrid that's maybe 600, 700 meters, but this is the highest that I'm going to play ever in my life And it makes a difference. You have to put, I think, an extra effort in the adjustment on the court. You have to try to serve well. It's tough to control. You can't expect maybe too many long points because the ball travels through the air much faster than in normal conditions.”

In Kazakhstan, no Stepanek in first day singles:
Hajek-Kukushking, followed by Golube-Rosol.

Interestingly, Kazakhstan won their only previous DC meeting, and that's with Berdych playing for it.

In Canada vs Italy:

Pospisil opens vs Seppi, followed by Raonic -Fognini.

I’m keenly awaiting the Isner-Djoko match.

Djoko: "They have chosen Boise, that has over 800 meters altitude that can help the service. We all know that
John and Sam possess great serves, as well as Mike and Bob."

http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/9135192/john-isner-face-no-1-novak-djokovic-first-match-davis-cup-boise

The Czech team off to a flying start against the Kazakhs - 2:0!

Great achievement bearing in mind Stepanek and Berdych were absent and they are playing in front of the host crowd.

Well done Hajek and Rosol!

Boise sits at about 866 meters above sea level.Djokovic said Boise will be the highest altitude he's played in his career:

“I played in high altitude before in my life, but not matches, think in the tour we have Madrid that's maybe 600, 700 meters, but this is the highest that I'm going to play ever in my life And it makes a difference. You have to put, I think, an extra effort in the adjustment on the court. You have to try to serve well. It's tough to control. You can't expect maybe too many long points because the ball travels through the air much faster than in normal conditions.”
[/quote]

Oops, hi Noley, didn’t read this before the other Djoko quote I posted earlier. Must admit I’m rather
dense. What’s your take on all the Boise stuff you cited above? Am I wrong
to feel that Djoko doesn’t sound very confident coming to Boise?

SR wrote: Am I wrong
to feel that Djoko doesn’t sound very confident coming to Boise?

Don't know, really. I suppose no player would love to face Isner serving from the trees in high altitude where the ball goes even faster... So the match will not be nice to watch and will require maximum patience and focus from Nole.

You've got to love the French

noleisthebest wrote:

SR wrote: Am I wrong
to feel that Djoko doesn’t sound very confident coming to Boise?

Don't know, really. I suppose no player would love to face Isner serving from the trees in high altitude where the ball goes even faster... So the match will not be nice to watch and will require maximum patience and focus from Nole.

Never mind Isner. He may not be able to serve consistently from beginning to end. Where's your usual fireworks for Djokovich?

noleisthebest wrote:You've got to love the French

I didn't know they double as amateur acrobats.

Tsonga manages to beat Berlocq in 5 sets.

Monaco-Simon playing. 5 all in the first set atm.

and Gillou loses the first set in a very lame tie-break : his game does not look good on clay at all atm. Struggling to move on it properly. Monaco attacking and looking a lot more natural and comfortable on the court.

I'm still expecting him to win, though.

Don't remember Monaco having big upper body...Simon down a break.
Tennis:terrible!

From outdoor sunshine & clay (and unusually quiet crowd) switching to 800m altitude and the indoor "ice" of Boise.

NOLEEEEEEEEEEE

Nole holds his serve to love, let's se what Isner can do
Just a few points in, Nole like fish in the water....Issy should be a gonner in straights here....

the court plays great, shame they don't have them like this in Miami and IW and USO and Cinci.....

Spoken too soon
Nole broken (thanks to 2 DFs) and a bit of dodgy timing....

COME ON NOLEEEEEEEEEEEE

Isner bombing away some stupendous kick serves....ah well....the crowd really loud although the stadium looks half-full.

Nole breaks back, holds serve, 4:3 up and is off and awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

Nole takes the first set in the tie-break in style
High-altitude, fast courts, Isner bombing out aces: eat your heart out!

Monaco two sets and a break up in the 3rd....

Really like the court the Yanks have chosen, no mucking about on it!

Nole 2 breaks up in the 2nd serving for the set ....which he does in style!

And Nole does it in straights YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEA
Great to see him pumped and motivated, haven't see him on fire like this for a long time.
Bravo Nole

Troicki Querrey next.

In Canada, Pospislil doing well agains Seppi, set up.

noleisthebest wrote:8.30 PM, on legally fastest possible indoor hard courts:

Djokovic-Isner, followed by Troicki-Querrey

Boise sits at about 866 meters above sea level.Djokovic said Boise will be the highest altitude he's played in his career:

“I played in high altitude before in my life, but not matches, think in the tour we have Madrid that's maybe 600, 700 meters, but this is the highest that I'm going to play ever in my life And it makes a difference. You have to put, I think, an extra effort in the adjustment on the court. You have to try to serve well. It's tough to control. You can't expect maybe too many long points because the ball travels through the air much faster than in normal conditions.”

LOL! The aim I guess for Isner is to lob Djoko with his serve.

Congratulations to Nole , who passed over Isner on the fastest hc ever in three straight sets. Quite funny, Isner did not win a single rallye in that match. Even US grandmothers with hamburgers did not help Isner

After dropping off just before the end of 1set tie-break, I wake up to see Victor playing a great match. 2 sets all 4 all.
Serving now, huge game. 2BPs for Querrey.
Quarrey takes the second and serving for the match. You must not stop now Victor.

COME OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON

And it's over. That one is going to hurt for a while, poor Victor, he played his heart out

Pospisil managed to lose to Seppi in 5 sets after being 2 :0.
Raonic two tight sets up against Fognini atm.
And Raonic wins in 3 sets.

Lovely last few games to watch: beautiful contrast between Raonic's powerful yet, not soulless game vs. the elegant and sweet feel from Fognini's racquet.

Day 2: Doubles time!

All 4 ties still live. The Czechs lost their doubles match this morning, which keeps the Kazakhs still alive in tomorrow's singles matches. The score is 2:1

All other ties come with 1:1 from yesterday, so today's doubles could be crucial.

We have Brian brothers take on on Zimonjic and probably Djokovic at 9 PM. The Brians lost their last DC match in Brazil, so that gives the Serbs a ray of hope.

France and Argentina just about starting their doubles match now:

Llodra/Beneteau vs. Nalbandian/Zeballos

Italy Canada should also be good as Italy just like France and USA have an established, good doubles team in Bolleli-Fognini:

Bolleli/Fognini vs. Nestor/Pospisil

Whichever doubles team wins will need another singles win tomorrow.

A bit of a surprise result: Argentina beating France in doubles 3:1, coming back from a set down. Will be very tough for them tomorrow as they have to win both singles, which they still realistically can do. Same is probably going to happen to Serbia, except that Troicki will have to play the match of his life to return those serves from Isner.

To my total horror, I have just seen that Serbia are going to play Boziljac next to Zimonjic against the Brians....that sure is going to be pure masochism to watch, but I'll give it a try...
Boziljac is an utter disaster of a player, esp in doubles...his volleying is as subtle and natural as Maradona dancing a lead role in Swan Lake...

Italians vs Canadians should be good.

And Serbia win the first set in a tie-break. Yaaaaaay!!!!

I've never liked Brian brothers, they come across as a freak show, esp when they are both jumping like a pair of monkeys when receiving.
Mind you, they can really play well on their own serve, great team.

Second set tie-break
Nole looking so cool and brilliant pumping Zimonjic and Boziljac, giving them techincal advice, he truly is a star

And Serbia WIPES THE FLOOR WITH the Brians 7:1, two sets done, one to go

COME OOOOOOONNNNNNN

What a superb volleyer Zimonjic is!
Bozljac so pumped, he could breathe fire if he wanted to

Stupid Boziljac chokes colossally on his serve and the Yanks take the third set 7:5

The Czechs seem to have had great time, with Stepanek the usual suspect being the heart and soul of it...

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/04/video-stepanek-leads-czechs-musical-hand-holding-sway-along/47006/#.UWCU7I7RfzI

Must say, watching this doubles match is pretty exhausting....

This time Ziki chokes...or rather shows signs of tiredness....2:2.

yes....it's still going! 12 all in the fifth

And Serbia brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ziki you beauty!!!!!!!!
And now just serve it out, like a good B. Ribar boy

And Ziki does iiiiiiiiiiiiit, YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 15: 13
4 hours and 23 minutes, what a massive win

Djokovic Querrey first reverse singles tomorrow!

Huge to Ziki and Bozoljac, and what a lesson to smug Yanks who thought they had the doubles point bagged....

Serbs, you are the specials Hats off to Zimo and Bozo. To win 5 sets with Brians on their mountain court, that was the unbelievable match.

paulcz wrote:Serbs, you are the specials Hats off to Zimo and Bozo. To win 5 sets with Brians on their mountain court, that was the unbelievable match.

cin-cin

Ain't no mountain high enough to top Serbia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-UvQYAmbg

Nitb, where Nole appears there are the miracles

To serve out the game when 15:40 for Zimo, that is nothing for a weakly minded. Congratulations to both, Bozo played his best match ever for sure and Zimo surely as well