DAVIS CUP 2014 (Round One)

Before ATP tour starts rolling on Monday, we have some potentially excellent tennis matches in Davis Cup this weekend:

WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND: 31 JAN-02 FEB 2014

Czech Republic v Netherlands Cez Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic

Japan v Canada, Airake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan

Germany v Spain, Fraport Arena, Frankfurt, Germany

France v Australia, Vendéspace, La Roche sur Yon, France

USA v Great Britain, Petco Park, San Diego, CA, USA

Argentina v Italy, Patinodromo Municipal ¨Adalberto Lugea¨, Mar del Plata, Argentina

Kazakhstan v Belgium, National Tennis Centre, Astana, Kazakhstan

Serbia v Switzerland, Spens Sport Centre, Novi Sad, Serbia

When I saw the draw a few months ago, I was really excited about Serbia-Switzerland.
The thought of watching Fed, Nole and Stan engaged in 5 set matches nearly got me book the flight.
As it turned out, Federer and Djokovic are not playing, Serbia's team not even in its B version with absent injured Tipsarevic and Troicki still doing his suspension time.

Snap nitb, I thought the same thing.

Looking at that draw, its a shame that Fed is not playing. Switzerland could go all the way to the final, seeing as France, Spain and Czech are all in the top half. It could be a great opportunity.

Good to see that GB vs USA will be on the beeb.

What's your country of origin, Polly?

Fed playing after all!!!
And all the tickets are sold out

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/01/federer-returns-davis-cup-action-week/50434/

Fed is there and playing. Not sure if it's the smartest thing for him to do from a preparation for Dubai,iw,Miami standpoint, but he must be feeling physically good. With Stan there and djoko not playing (though I read the Serbs are trying to get djoko to come in before deadline tomorrow) fed might not need to play a many matches as usual.

More fed tennis!!!

I am really happy he is playing, an extra two or three matches against Serbia's Z team are not going to break the budget.
It will be a total tennis feast for Novi Sad, a lovely town in the north of Serbia. Stan, Fed, Lajovic, Zimonjic all play SBH!
Fed has a lot of fans in Serbia.

One of the Swiss officials tweeted out that a fan at the airport came up to federer and said "you look just like roger federer!" Fed said " that's because I am roger federer!"

More match time with the racquet could be good

Yay!!!!! I'm so glad. As I said, I think the draw is a good one, and I expect they could go to the semis at least! 
I'm British nitb

Polly 81 wrote:Yay!!!!! I'm so glad. As I said, I think the draw is a good one, and I expect they could go to the semis at least! 
I'm British nitb

English, Welsh, Scottish or ex-colonies British?

I am British on paper only, mainly because I am 100% Continental at heart. I find it fascinating how people with different origin can embrace another culture, especially in sport. Raonic is an example of success, Tomic is the opposite.

Nole is quite interesting as well as he has had offers to take British citizenship and make his life tremendously easier, but he chose not to and is very proud of that decision.

truffin1 wrote:One of the Swiss officials tweeted out that a fan at the airport came up to federer and said "you look just like roger federer!"    Fed said " that's because I am roger federer!"

More match time with the racquet could be good

That is really funny, but the Serbs have a very sharp sense of humour, so it wouldn't surprise me if someone just tried to pull his leg!

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/01/5/Davis-Cup-2014-Federer-Joins-Wawrinka.aspx

Fed's in!    

I am pretty sure, Fed's last minute change of DC mind has everything to do with Stan's win in Melbourne.
I know Stan was almost begging Fed to join him in DC team this season for several months, so Fed must have got infected with this unexpected wave of optimism tennis 2014 have now started with.
I think it's brilliant he chose to play, it will mean a lot to him for the rest of the season as well.
A bit of love he'll get from team camaraderie could carry him a long way like it did Nole in 2011 after Serbia's DC win in 2010.

Andy Murray says the players are struggling to adapt to the "slippy" court in San Diego where Great Britain will play the USA in the Davis Cup.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/25958429

Davis cup Germany vs Spain. I actually think Germany can beat Spain this time.

Is Nadal playing? cause if he does....I don't think so.

Anyone watching DC?

Fed a set up against Boziljac, but serving to stay in the second set at 2:5,

He played Boziljac once in Wimbledon, also lost a set, was a nice match.

.....and from being up 5:2, Boziljac manages to choke it away - 5:7, Fed 2:0.

Fed's BH looking gorgeous...3:0 in the 3rd set, in a super playful mpde, picking up the ball with half-volleys from under his feet like it's a feather!

noleisthebest wrote:Fed's BH looking gorgeous...3:0 in the 3rd set, in a super playful mpde, picking up the ball with half-volleys from under his feet like it's a feather!

You know, the surname Federer actually means 'feather trader' in old German

I do know, it also means "spring", as in "spring in the step"!

Oooh I like that! It describes him perfectly.

Stan also playing well enough. This Serb team doesn't look like one to challenge the Swiss too much... maybe in doubles.

Lajovic is not even in top 100, rotla!
At least he plays with a SBH...

Lajovic won teh 2nd set.. Stan throwing off many chances.. Lajovic had one and he took it.

And Lajovic takes the second set!
Stan playing pretty poorly which confirms my sources* were right - he is injured and that's why Fed flew in to play this DC tie last minute.


* good, old mum with her update from Serbian media, who else

2-1 stan

France 2:0 against Australia, ALLEEEZ!!!

noleisthebest wrote:And Lajovic takes the second set!
Stan playing pretty poorly which confirms my sources* were right - he is injured and that's why Fed flew in to play this DC tie last minute.


* good, old mum with her update from Serbian media, who else

Stan is really looking injured.. This match needs to be done in 4 sets.. else Stan might not be able to continue.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:And Lajovic takes the second set!
Stan playing pretty poorly which confirms my sources* were right - he is injured and that's why Fed flew in to play this DC tie last minute.


* good, old mum with her update from Serbian media, who else

Stan is really looking injured.. This match needs to be done in 4 sets.. else Stan might not be able to continue.

Now we know why...
Click play
http://www.blick.ch/sport/tennis/federer-attackiert-wawrinka-id2647170.html

Spain 0-3 Germany.

I enjoyed watching some doubles tennis yesterday, there were some good points and lovely volleys.
I saw most of Swizerland - Serbia and USA - GB.

What struck me was how average most of them were with their groundstrokes, Mac is right to question the quality of their play.

Brian brothers, the "Nadals" of doubles tennis - made it popular, and being twins, one lefty and the other not, make it an interesting watch from the tactical point of view....for about 5 minutes!
The rest...flairless grunting, jumping etc...such a turn off.
Fleming and the other guy actually played much more attractive doubles tennis  esp in the third set when they got into their flow, but it was not for long enough...then I just dropped off on the sofa with the headphones on my head...literally!

So far:
1) Czech 3 Dutch 2
2) Japan 4 Canada 1
3) Germany 4 Spain 1
4) France 5 Aus 0
5) GB 2 USA 1 - Murray vs Querrey to seal it.
6) Italy 2 Argie 1 - Fognini 2 sets away from beating berlocq and advancing to the qfs.
7) Kaz 3 Belgium 2
8) Swiss 3 Serbia 2

I know its a bit too far to think, but it is possible that the Swiss team can win this year's DC if both Fed and Stan play.

If GB beats US (which they should) and then beat Italy (which they could) then they'd be playing Switzerland in the UK, most likely in O2, assuming Switzerland beats whoever they are playing net.
Those will be the hottest tickets in town!

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:I know its a bit too far to think, but it is possible that the Swiss team can win this year's DC if both Fed and Stan play.

Might be worth a small bet. I think they can do it too.

They may play it at wimbledon 2bh, done it before.

Wimbledon would be good, not sure GB would stand a chance on grass, tough.

Really enjoying Querrey-Murray match, both players got their teeth into the match.
Querrey's forehand firing beautifully, Murray trying to frustrate the life out of him, could be interesting if Querrey wins the 2nd set TB, he is quite a dogged competitor.

Two players I don't really enjoy watching.

Murray just cannot play on clay, he is basically playing his grass tennis on it, and it's just not working against Querrey's clean game.

Interesting how his stamina and muscles are useless on clay, he is a step slower on it than on other surfaces.

Managed to serve some ridiculous speed, well over 130 mph in the 1st set, hits the CC FH with the same power as Nadal minus the spin, scary....but again, it's all kind of artificial and not flowing.

Has a double break now.
But yes, Murray will never do anything on clay imo.

1 set away now for Murray.
Would be the first win for GB over the US away since the 1930's and the first time they would make the qf's since the 80's.