Davis Cup Doubles

[kayce]

I figured we could start a thread to discuss Davis Cup doubles matches... Doubles does play an important role in Davis Cup since it is played 3rd and can be a very pivotal match!

With the Davis Cup next weekend, there could be some great doubles matches... One in particular I'm looking at is Lopez/Verdasco vs the Bryans on clay in Spain.

[JAMES4579]

Yes, that could well be a tight and enjoyable match. Will be at the GB/ Austria tie myself where of course the Doubles could play an important role and where I'd expect Jamie to feature though of course there are options for the actual pair.

[janeInScotland]

When is the GB pair announced? I hope Jamie is half of it. :)

[kayce]

Yes, I hope Jamie is part of the doubles too! You would think they put him on the team for that, but who knows how those Davis Cup captains work.

Aren't the draws usually announced Thursday?

[RoastLamb]

Nah, I think the Bryans will clobber Floppy and Nando. I'm sure the Bryans won the French Open. It's the singles which will make the difference. Anyway, are we sure that Flo and Nan will be the doubles pick?

[kayce]

Lopez and Verdasco have been playing really well in doubles lately, I'm guessing that would be the team. And I've heard rumors that Bob is injured and won't be playing...

[Fitzy]

Those are merely rumours. Bob has had that shoulder injury for a few months so unless it's reached an extremely bad point, he will play! He and Mike love the DC! :D

[kayce]

I really hope it is just rumors, but I guess he pulled out of a couple exhibition events events. And a
Spanish newspaper supposedly reported that he didn't fly over to Madrid. Of course, this could be completely made up, because I would think he would at least go cheer them on. Also a Virginia article where he pulled out of a charity event.

They also said PMac forgot his passport so he has to fly over tomorrow.


Here is a link to the Virginia newspaper article... (http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports/golftennis.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-09-13-0146.html)

and the spanish article from ESPN deportes (http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=724977&s=ten&type=story)

[Fitzy]

Thanks for those Kayce. I'm still going to wait until I read a quote from Bob himself or if his webmasters post something about it.

[RoastLamb]

Ooh the plot thickens then. I hope the Spanish team beat the Americans 5-0 (sorry Fitzy).

[kayce]

Ooh the plot thickens then. I hope the Spanish team beat the Americans 5-0 (sorry Fitzy).

wow, can't we even get 1 point?


New spanish article is saying Bob might be traveling over after Tuesday, but they aren't sure if he is going to play or not. Maybe its just a plot to get Spain's hopes up?

[Fitzy]

I want Bob and Mike to win their rubber. It would take a miracle for the US to win.

The thing I don't like is the top players, like Rafa seem to only play the important events for their country. Like with this tie, I just think it's unfair to the other Spanish players who commit in the earlier rounds, but then get left off the team because Rafa suddenly wants to play in the semis.

[kayce]

Yeah, the top players are more concerned with getting rested up for the next tournament... But maybe giving points for Davis Cup will help that next year. At least for those countries in the world group.


I want the Bryans to win too... There is an off chance that either Andy or Sam beats Ferrer and gets another point, but I don't see us winning. The Bryans are our main hope here!

[patmoren]

Good luck to all the teams. I think there are going to be some closely contested rubbers. Shame we can't see all of them.

[kayce]

Well... It's out now... Bob has withdrawn, and Mardy is stepping in for him.

[Fitzy]

Yep, it has been confirmed. :cry: :cry:

[patmoren]

The USA team are going to have difficulty winning then.

[Linda]

Now Bob has pulled out, and already not having Blake on the team, I think the USA stand zero chance of winning this tie. Though I must say I didn't think they stood much chance in the first place - Spain have a really strong team.

[wolfie]

They should have chosen Booty instead of Fish. :wink:

[kayce]

Now Bob has pulled out, and already not having Blake on the team, I think the USA stand zero chance of winning this tie. Though I must say I didn't think they stood much chance in the first place - Spain have a really strong team.

Actually, I thought with Querrey instead of Blake we had a better chance. Probably still wouldn't win, but we had a better chance. Without Bob.... It's going to take a miracle.

[Fitzy]

They should have chosen Booty instead of Fish. :wink:

:rolling: good one dude! :thumbup:

I honestly don't think any of the American singles players are fit to play doubles in a stage like this. Mardy probably is the best option to play out of the three singles players, but he still isn't that great at the net and he will definitely be the one Spain picks on. Plus, it doesn't help that the tie is on clay.

If this would have happened in say the first round, maybe the US would have drafted Booty or either Lipsky/Martin but I can't see them ever doing that unless one of those three players gets inside the top 10-20 in doubles and has some good results at the big events. Bob and Mike will probably play DC until they retire, so lots of years left for them. :D

[JAMES4579]

Hopefully the americans can get something going, particularly in the doubles to make this tie competitive.

[RoastLamb]

Fish is really good - but I don't know how is in dubs and it must be really weird for one Bryan twin to be without the other one. I can't wait to see how they do.

[jane]

Good luck to you (and your partner whoever he may be) against the Austrians tomorrow:thumbup::thumbup::)

[janeInScotland]

Good luck to you (and your partner whoever he may be) against the Austrians tomorrow:thumbup::thumbup::)

I second that but still think there's a small chance Lloyd will go for hutchins/andy.

[MrsB]

Good luck tomorrow Jamie :)

[janeInScotland]

Hopefully the americans can get something going, particularly in the doubles to make this tie competitive.

USA have to win the doubles if they want to stay in the tie. Spain is 2-0 up.

In fact the doubles could be the last match in both semi finals
...Argentina 2-0 Russia
...Spain 2-0 USA
and in 5 of the 8 play-offs
...Chile 2-0 Australia
...Switzerland 2-0 Belgium
...Croatia 2-0 Brazil
...Romania 2-0 India
...Slovak Rep. 0-2 Serbia

(Interesting that so many home sides are ahead.)

The 3 that are tied at 1-1 are
...GB vs Austria
...Israel vs Peru
...Netherlands vs Korea Rep.

[JAMES4579]

The Americans certainly have it all to do after Roddick lost the tight battle with Ferrer. Good first day in many home ties and the doubles coud still be crucial in some.

[lynne]

:boogie::boogie: GOOD LUCK JAMIE!! :boogie::boogie:

[mmsmyth]

Good Luck today Jamie!

[lynne]

"COME ON JAMIE & ROSS".........GO FOR IT!!!!!:boogie::boogie:

[lynne]

GB 3-2 first set

[kayce]

Some matches started! Jamie served first in their match... Let's go guys!

Here are the other matches going on!

Fed/Wawrinka vs Malisse/Rochus.. Fed and Wawrinka trying to continue their streak from the olympics, but they are down a break at 2-3.

Levy/Ram vs Echazu/Silva... Levy and Ram play doubles, but haven't heard too much about the other 2. Levy/Ram lead 6-1.

Huta-Galung/Wessels vs Jun/Lee... Haven't seen Lee play doubles. Or the rest of them. they split sets, 6-4 in each.

Cruciat/Tecau vs Bhupati/Paes... Bhupati and Paes are a great team and we've seen them play together quite a bit. they lead by a set and its 5-4 in the 2nd.

Mertinak/Polasek vs Troicki/Zimonjic... The serbs switched it up and aren't playing Novak... did he get hurt or something? Mertinak had at least one good match at the USO unfortunately for us... Didn't see him against the Bryans. Could be interesting. 3-3.

[kayce]

So they dropped Ross's serve... Down 3-5! Come on Jamie! Hold!

Now break!

[lynne]

3 set points for Austria

[kayce]

4-6


Come on guys! New set, lets get this one!

[lynne]

Yes, try and step up a gear........COME ON GUYS!!


Even though you are playing an experienced pair!!

[kayce]

ugh. Down a break in the second. Shake it off guys, you can do this!


Are you watching it lynne?

[lynne]

Kayce.....thanks for being here & for all the info on other matches!!:thumbup:



Just the two of us!!............is'nt that a song!:boogie:

[lynne]

COME ON MURCHIN!!!!:yahoo:

[kayce]

yeah lol... Glad neither of us are stuck in here alone! then what would we do! Bhupati/Paes take the second in a tiebreak, and Troicki/Zimonjic are in a tiebreak for the first. Malisse/Rochus took the first against Fed/Wawrinka.


Come on guys! step it up!!!

[lynne]

Yes watching Kayce, I know everybody is at the DC, but did think there would be more here lol!!

[lynne]

Nice shot of Andy with his cousin:bigsmile:

[kayce]

I think a few more are on Andy's site. Maybe someone will show up before its over. Does it look like nerves or what? They have a lot of unforced errors according to the scoreboard.


Lets go Jamie and Ross! Start with this one!

[lynne]

You are probably right about the nerves, but I don't think Jamie is on fire YET!!:)

[kayce]

there's one game! Come on guys! build some momentum!!!

[lynne]

There is five on Andy's site including me!!:shocked:

[lynne]

Great play Jamie..............COME ON MURCHINS!!

[lynne]

Did I speak to soon......second double for Jamie:sad:

[kayce]

I did say a couple... lol. Zimonjic/Troicki win the first set 10-8 in the TB! Levy and Ram won the second 6-1 like the first set. Huta-Galung/Wessels take the 3rd, up 2 sets to 1.


Karlovic/Zovko Melo/Sa starting. I'm guessing Karlovic is the weak link there? other than when serving.

and Lopez/Verdasco Bryan/Fish starting as well. Fish the main singles player there...

[kayce]

Come on guys!!! Break!!!!!


Yes! They finally broke! Longest game of the match I think. Saved several SP's. Keep it up guys! Hold now! Keep the pressure on them!

[lynne]

At least John Lloyd is smiling & I think Andy was breathing a sigh of relief there!!:bigsmile:

[lynne]

GO ON GUY'S!!!!:yahoo:

[kayce]

A break then they try to give us a heart attack...

[lynne]

lol!! Are you ok!! lol!:shocked:

[kayce]

lol. I'm fine, just exaggerating. but we are in a sticky situation now!!!

Maybe a few of the guests who are hanging around should register or sign on and help us cheer them on!

Lopez/Verdasco up a break 4-3.

[lynne]

Listen to the Austrian's chanting, where are we? The guy's still need cheering on, not just when they are winning or are us British too reserved lol!:bigsmile:

[lynne]

I've got the flags out & shouting at the tv!! lol!:bigsmile:

[kayce]

lol... I'm staring at the livescore. Can't really scream, my room mates are asleep and would probably kill me! But they obviously need someone like me there!

Come on guys!

[lynne]

:rolling::rolling: yes you should be there!! & I don't suppose your friends would mind if you woke them up, on second thoughts.........leave well alone:bigsmile:

[kayce]

lol... I might do it involuntarily... If this set is close...

Break guys!


Ok... time to get more returns in. stop giving them easy points!

[lynne]

Would'nt like to be in your shoes if you do lol!

[kayce]

They should be used to it by now. lol. Go Jamie and Ross! Hang in there!

Lopez/Verdasco take the 1st 6-4. Bhupati/Paes won, Hata-Galung/Wessels have triple match point, Levy/Ram won, Fed/Wawrinka in tiebreak for the 2nd.

[lynne]

They have just said on tv that there is plenty of seats for sale for tomorrow, can you believe that:shocked:


Nice shot of Andy in his shades!!

[kayce]

plenty of seats for tomorrow? wow. I wouldn't expect that. Since the tie will be decided tomorrow.


Ugh. I wish I could have watched that, but kinda glad I couldn't... Doesn't seem pretty for us.

[lynne]

Awww! never mind, Austrians played brilliant:sad:



many thanks for your company kayce & for the info!!:flowers:

[kayce]

thank you too!

[RoastLamb]

The crowd must be hugely disappointed. That was a drubbing. :sad::sad::sad:

[kayce]

yeah. They better be ready to cheer a lot tomorrow! not a good sign going in 1-2!


Fed/Wawrinka took the second in the tiebreak, so they split, and Troicki/Zimonjic won the 2nd 6-4.

[lynne]

Was'nt bad, but was'nt good Fiona, which puts more pressure on Andy & Alex, I mean if Andy wins then poor Alex has to win for us to win the tie..not much pressure then:bigsmile:

[RoastLamb]

Well at least it will be a LIVE Sunday. Nothing worse than two dead rubbers - which looks like it'll be in Argentina, Spain and Switzerland but the looks of things so far.

[kayce]

dead rubbers aren't always bad... They can be quite entertaining... like when the Americans go out to play hung over from the night before


Gulbis/Juska are up a set against Seppi/Starace.

Karlovic/Zovko won the 1st set as well.

[RoastLamb]

dead rubbers aren't always bad... They can be quite entertaining... like when the Americans go out to play hung over from the night before

Ha ha! Hadn't thought of that. Wonder if the Americans will be sober tomorrow? They could still win the doubles. I think they have a break in the second set now. Nope, it's Switzerland who has the break. Darn it!

[kayce]

Ha ha! Hadn't thought of that. Wonder if the Americans will be sober tomorrow? They could still win the doubles. I think they have a break in the second set now.

lol. They probably won't be sober. But looks like Mardy might get to play singles... They are at 5-4 on serve in the second

They took the 2nd!

[RoastLamb]

I had a livestream for the Spain-USA and the Argentina-Russia rubbers yesterday but it's not on today. Bit disappointing really. I wish the DC people would get a livestream package together.

Blimey what happened? I blinked and the Americans have taken the second set 6-4. Sheesh. So they did get a break after all.

[kayce]

that would be amazing... Get them started on that would you?

[kayce]

Fed/Wawrinka won in the 4th, and Troicki/Zimonjic lost the 3rd, up 2 sets to 1. Melo/Sa split with Karlovic/Zovko, on serve 4-5 in the 3rd. And Bryan/Fish won the 3rd.

Latvia is down 2 sets to 1:(

[janeInScotland]

Good to read through the thread. Sorry I wasn't here (watching on TV).

It looks as though quite a lot of the play-offs & maybe both semis will have live Sunday.

[janeInScotland]

I'm just watching live score of the Chile-Australia match. It seems to have stuck on 6-5 (15:0) in the final set.

But I notice that the Australian pair have won 189 pts vs Chile's 167. So ...

[janeInScotland]

Australia won 6-7 7-6 6-3 5-7 7-5.

That means that doubles has kept alive all but 2 of the ties that were 2-0 after day 1. (Serbia & Switzerland being the only ones that made it into 3-0.)

[NorthernLights]

Just watched my recording of the dubs. Knowle was inspired and Melzer is clearly on form. His returning was fantastic. I hope Andy re-reads Jurgen's pre-match comments and comes on court fully fired up today! I thought Ross did pretty well under pressure yesterday; unfortunately, it was Jamie who buckled a bit. He played well at times, but as the match wore on, he hit more and more volleys into the net (though this was due in part to the quality of the balls coming from the other side). I was watching through my fingers by the end of it!

Good luck Andy and Alex! You can do it!!

[scruffybearmac]

Sorry to say but this was not a good performace from our guy.
I dont know if he's on a downer after splitting from Max or if he just wasnt fit.
Dont get me wrong, they were up against a better team on paper but I did want to see a more spirited game .

[janeInScotland]

Yeah I was disappointed in Jamie. I realise I've watched more TV of him playing mixed - when there's a lot of smiling. I definitely didn't get any impression of enjoyment on Saturday. I hope he soon finds a men's partner that gets back the fun element & lets him play his best.

[lynne]

Yes Jane, I was thinking the same, Jamie does seem to have fun and play better tennis playing mixed doubles, but I do really believe Jamie will get even better in the mens doubles once he finds someone he really does click with:)

[janeInScotland]

I agree. I wonder what the opportunities are? We should continue discussion of permanent partner for Jamie in another thread.

Obviously for DC doubles there is a smallish pool of potential partners. The top 5 GBR doubles rankings are:
.33 Jamie Murray
.86 Ross Hutchins
124 Jamie Delgado
174 James Auckland
195 Andy Murray
200+ several

The top 3-5 ranked singles (after Andy & Alex) are Josh Goodall, Alex Slabinsky & Richard Bloomfield. I think some of these have near top 200 doubles rankings. It would be good to have an up-coming doubles player that could also be back-up for singles.

[JAMES4579]

I agree that both Jamie and Ross were disappointing in the doubles at Wimbledon, notwithstanding the fantastic form of Knowle and Melzer. Jamie possibly wasn't in the right frame of mind. Agree next time we need to consider a larger team to give us more options.

[Linda]

Unfortunately Jamie wasn't on his best form :cry:

[patmoren]

Jamie admits in his twitters that he didn't play well. Didn't really give a reason and other than the match, seemed to have enjoyed the practice and team spirit. He is a troubled young man at the moment on the tennis front. I hope he finds a solution soon.

[janeInScotland]

yeah - fingers crossed for good progress in Metz.

[patmoren]

Needs to lift his game to attract good partners.

[kayce]

maybe not doing as well lately has shook his confidence? But yeah, hopefully he can do well at Metz and for the rest of the year.