Tennis Talk

by Savannah


The Davis Cup

The fallout in Argentina continues and it ain't a pretty sight. Juan Pablo Varsky writing in the Argentine paper La Nacion details the behind the scenes infighting and in the end the lack of a team spirit among the Argentine players. David Nalbandian who while teased incessantly about his weight had gotten relatively good tennis press comes off as, well, the heavy in this saga. Starting with his injecting himself into the venue search - seems he would've gotten some nice cheese for delivering it to his home territory of Cordoba - to seemingly doing the Captain's job by making sure only those he wanted made the team. Guillermo Canas was not one of the chosen. Neither was Juan Monaco. Canas has not been in the best form of late but would he have made a good doubles fit with Monaco giving Dave a day off? Who knows. What about up and coming Eduardo Schwank? Could he have been there as a reserve? Captain Alberto Mancini has resigned.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda I know but all of these questions have to be asked in the wake of what can only be called a stunning defeat by Team Spain.
And Team Spain it is. Spain was ridiculed for it's experiment in creating a team mentality to go along with the naturally competitive one all tennis players posses. So what has this so called idiocy produced? Spain is now the number one tennis country on the planet. Others may stake a claim but I don't think any other country can point to the results Spain can and this despite a year of turmoil where players worked to unseat the head of it's tennis federation for lying and disrespect. If Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco use this Davis Cup triumph as a stepping stone to next year especially during the spring and summer hard court swings in the United States it's going to be very interesting.

As for Argentina I don't know anyone who has the gonads to step into this furnace. Oh wait. Guillermo Coria anyone? Some may say Argentine tennis elder statesman Guillermo Vilas is the man for the job but he seems at a happy, peaceful place in his life right now. He smartly kept his name out of the press in relation to the venue and court surface fiasco.

Coria has played much more recently and seems to have the temperament to get in the face of anyone who would challenge his vision for the team. This is just my opinion and everyone knows what body part opinions resemble and that everyone has one.

At any rate Davis Cup play resumes in March. The rankings are as follows.
1. Russia
2. Spain
3. United States
4. Argentina
The top three are separated by  200 points. For all the details please go to the Source where a PDF file listing all the rankings is available.

This and That

In a surprise move Andy Roddick has chosen Larry Stefanki as his head coach. Stefanki broke his contract with Fernando Gonzalez, which was to run through the French Open in 2009 to take a job with the USTA, possibly working with Jose Higueras. This is reportedly what he told Gonzo who wished him well. Knowing Roddick's relationship with the USTA I'm sure if Andy asked for Stefanki he'd get him. I wonder if the USTA is paying Larry? At any rate maybe Andy has decided to listen to what a new coach will bring to the table. Roddick has made improvements to his game thanks to working with Jimmy Connors and others. It remains to be seen if the "old dog" can learn more new tricks and get back to the top five.

Speaking of Jimmy Connors the eight time grand slam winner was arrested over the weekend at a college basketball game near his home in Santa Barbara California for "noncompliance". Apparently he was cuffed and taken to the police station where he was later released. What, retired tennis players need street cred now?

Edited to Add:
Craig has updated the story of Connor's arrest.

In the wake of the 2008 Davis Cup final there is a lot of anticipation for the 2009 season. Who will coach Spain? Will it be someone like Albert Costa or Alex Corretja? Who will Shamil Tarpishev name to his squad? Will the United States be able to overcome the Swiss led by Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka (and will they do their weird little celebration here in the U.S.?) Will Nalbandian play for Argentina or will the new coach go with new blood and field a team led by Juan Martin del Potro?
Heavy weight decisions no? Well you keep worrying about that stuff. I want to know where Ana Ivanovic is going to sit when Spain hosts Serbia.

Just sayin'.

Davis Cup Final - The Battle Royale

by Savannah


Well, well, well. Spain leads Argentina and it's rabid tennis fans 2-1. Spain needs to win one more rubber. Argentina needs to win two. Risky business David Nalbandian playing must win doubles today with Agustin Calleri instead of Jose Acasuso against the Spanish team of Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco. In hindsight does Mancini wish he'd gone with his announced roster and have a rested David ready for tomorrow? We all know hindsight is 20/20.

The announced line up is as follows for tomorrow but the team doctor for Argentina said that Juan Martin's chances of playing were slim.

Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) v David Ferrer (ESP)
David Nalbandian (ARG) v Feliciano Lopez (ESP)

Keep in mind changes can be made at the last minute. I wonder if
Rafa was watching from Mauritius and pulling his hair out by the roots during that third set tie break? Captain Emilio Sanchez wasn't taking his calls yesterday - he said he didn't have his cell phone on - but the players were. Wonder if he took them today?

It's On

by Savannah

There was no dead rubber in cloudy, chilly Buenos Aires. Team Argentina needed five rubbers to defeat Team Russia and clinch a berth in the Final which will be held in December. Argentina will play host to Spain, winners over defending Davis Cup champions the United States. Details will follow but as usual tennisheads are speculating over what could be the deciding factor - the surface the tie will be played on. Team Argentina's Captain Mancini has apparently indicated the preferred surface will be indoor carpet, the surface favored by David Nalbandian. Juan Martin del Potro, the rising star of Argentine tennis, will have to prove how well he can play on the stuff during the European Indoor Season.

The site of the tie is also up in the air since David Nalbandian would prefer to have it in his native Cordoba. The size of the stadium there does not meet ITF requirements but there is always the chance Nalbandian will have his way.

Regardless of where it is held anyone who had a chance to watch any of the matches from BsAs saw what a savvy, rowdy crowd can do to players during a match. There is still lingering tension among Argentine's over the incident between Rafael Nadal and Gaston Gaudio where Rafa allegedly used an anti South American Spanish slur against Gaudio. Keep in mind this supposedly happened three years ago and the tape of the incident doesn't prove it was Rafa who said it. I heard it and listened. It's inconclusive. I'm sure the Argentine press will be reminding tennis fans of the incident. And believe me they don't need an excuse to get on someone's case. Ask Nikolay Davydenko.


Just as the official Davis Cup site says, more soon.

Addendum: From the Official Davis Cup Site

The final will...be Argentina at home to Spain over the weekend of 21-23 November. It will be another few days before the venue is confirmed, but it is likely to be in Buenos Aires, and the front-runner is the 14,000-seater Parque Roca that has hosted all Argentina’s home ties since the start of 2006. The only logistical issue is that the home nation will probably want to choose a moderately quick hard court to face Nadal and co – having waited so long for a first home final, Argentina will not want to welcome the world’s greatest claycourter on his favourite surface.

Davis Cup World Group Playoffs Draw -And Other Stuff

Key
(s) = seeded nation
(c) = choice of ground
* = choice of ground decided by lot

Australia (s) v Serbia (c)*
Hewitt. Djokovic. Zimonjic and Bozoljac. 'Nuff said.

Austria (s) (c) v Brazil
Guga will only play DC. Brasil brings in a strong team. So does Austria.

Belarus (s) v Peru (c)*
Peru should probably play at sea level to avoid aiding Mirnyi's serve. Horna, Miranda et al should put in a strong showing against Belarus.

Chile (s) v Israel (c)*
Fena. Massu. Rios? Naw but wouldn't it be cool? The Israeli team is going to give them all they can handle.

Croatia (s) v Great Britain (c)*
Will Ljubicic play? Will Ancic be fit enough? Will the Brits pick an outdoor court on - grass? Will James Ward play with the Murray Brothers and Henman? Ward has been training in Spain and got a controversial WC entry into Valencia where he promptly lost.

Czech Republic (s) (c) v Switzerland
I'm sure Federer will come down from his aerie and play to keep his country in the mix.

Romania (s) v Japan (c)*
The Japanese team did pretty well in making it this far. I think they'll be trying to continue their good play.

Slovak Republic (s) (c)* v Korea, Rep.
I'd pick the Slovak Republic to take this.

In Davis Cup Related News...

Francesco Ricci Bicci has announced that the ITF is taking steps to standardize both hard courts and clay courts used by countries in DC competition. No more ice rink like surfaces will be allowed he says. Heavy clay may also be on the way out.

Full Article Here

Much was made of Team United States DC Captain Patrick McEnroe choosing a surface that reduced Spain to spectators at their own tie. Many fans were advocating that Russia choose an ice rink like surface in their semi final match against Germany. And of course the US is still complaining that the surface used in Spain a few years ago was akin to quicksand. By avoiding Argentina and going up against Sweden it will be interesting to see what surface Sweden chooses. I expect to see the US protest this.

Davis Cup Summary 4/7/2007

Lots of 3-0 wins to report in both World Group and Zonal Play

World Group

Sweden over Argentina 3-0



The biggest upset in my very humble opinion is Sweden taking out Argentina with barely a whimper from the mighty Argentine Davis Cup team. As mmmm8, a poster on TAT noted, what was Mancini thinking by not playing Canas in singles yesterday? Whatever it was I hope he’s got his story straight when he faces the always warm and forgiving Argentine press corps.



Germany over Belgium 3-0



R1 - T.HAAS (GER) def. K.VLIEGEN (BEL)
6-7(4) 7-5 6-4 6-2
R2 - P.KOHLSCHREIBER (GER) def. O.ROCHUS (BEL)
6-3 7-5 7-6(4)
R3 - M.KOHLMANN / A.WASKE (GER) def. C.ROCHUS / O.ROCHUS (BEL)
4-6 6-2 6-3 6-1

Patrik Kuhnen needs to get a publicist. Everyone was touting the match up between Forget and Tarpishev but I think it’s time to pay attention to what Kuhnen is doing with the German Davis Cup team. No one knows much about the players other than Tommy Haas and to a lesser extent Philipp Kohlschreiber. Everyone knows that the Rochus brothers are capable of pulling miracles out of their less than famous butts. But the Germans showed that their tennis program is not in it’s death throes as they move on to semi final play in September.



Russia vs France 2-1



The Russians got a leg up today thanks to their doubles team of Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev. Davydenko was reamed after what some saw as lackluster play in his singles match but today he’s the hero lifting Mother Russia to a 2-1 lead over the French team. Guy Forget has his work cut out for him as to who will play the singles matches tomorrow. Gasquet? Paul-Henri Mathieu? Sebastian Grosjean? As strains of “La Marseillaise” echo in the Frenchmen’s heads I say we’ll see Mathieu and Gasquet. Richard seemed a little peeved when reporters asked him how he felt being a young gun apparently getting left behind. Let’s see if he can put up or shut up.



United States vs Spain 2-0



Please see Craig’s live report for details.

Link Here


The United States is up 2-0 after Blake and Roddick did what they had to do. Now it’s up to the number one doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan.





Zonal Play

Asia/Oceania Group 1 Round II

Japan 3-0 over Thailand

R1 - G.SOEDA (JPN) def. K.WACHIRAMANOWONG (THA)
6-1 6-2 6-2
R2 - T.SUZUKI (JPN) def. W.DOAKMAIKLEE (THA)
6-4 6-2 6-3
R3 - S.IWABUCHI / T.SUZUKI (JPN) def. S.RATIWATANA / S.RATIWATANA (THA)
6-3 6-4 2-6 6-4

Korea 3-0 over Uzbekistan

R1 - K.IM (KOR) def. F.DUSTOV (UZB)
6-0 6-2 4-6 7-5
R2 - H.LEE (KOR) def. D.ISTOMIN (UZB)
6-3 6-2 6-2
R3 - J.AN / W.JUN (KOR) def. F.DUSTOV / D.ISTOMIN (UZB)
6-1 6-3 6-1

America’s Zone Group 1 Round II

Peru 1-0 over Mexico

R1 - L.HORNA (PER) def. D.GARZA (MEX)
6-4 7-6(8) 2-6 6-3
R2 - I.MIRANDA (PER) v S.GONZALEZ (MEX)
6-4 3-6 6-1 5-5 Played and unfinished
R3 - L.HORNA / I.MIRANDA (PER) v J.ELIZONDO / A.RUIZ-ROSALES (MEX)
R4 - L.HORNA (PER) v S.GONZALEZ (MEX)
R5 - I.MIRANDA (PER) v D.GARZA (MEX)

Brazil 2-0 over Canada

R1 - R.MELLO (BRA) def. F.DANCEVIC (CAN)
3-6 6-7(7) 6-3 6-3 11-9
R2 - F.SARETTA (BRA) def. F.NIEMEYER (CAN)
6-4 6-7(6) 6-2 6-1
R3 - G.KUERTEN / A.SA (BRA) v D.NESTOR / F.NIEMEYER (CAN)
R4 - F.SARETTA (BRA) v F.DANCEVIC (CAN)
R5 - R.MELLO (BRA) v F.NIEMEYER (CAN)

Europe/Africa Zone Group 1 Round II

Slovak Republic over Macedonia 3-0

R1 - M.MERTINAK (SVK) def. L.MAGDINCEV (MKD)
6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4
R2 - D.HRBATY (SVK) def. P.RUSEVSKI (MKD)
6-2 6-3 6-3
R3 - D.HRBATY / M.MERTINAK (SVK) def. L.MAGDINCEV / P.RUSEVSKI (MKD)
6-2 6-1 6-2

Israel 3-0 over Italy

R1 - D.SELA (ISR) def. A.SEPPI (ITA)
6-3 7-5 1-6 3-6 6-3
R2 - N.OKUN (ISR) def. S.BOLELLI (ITA)
7-5 7-5 6-4
R3 - J.ERLICH / A.RAM (ISR) def. D.BRACCIALI / P.STARACE (ITA)
6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5)

Serbia 3-0 over Georgia

R1 - N.DJOKOVIC (SRB) def. G.CHANTOURIA (GEO)
6-1 5-0 – Retired
R2 - J.TIPSAREVIC (SRB) def. L.CHIKHLADZE (GEO)
6-4 6-4 7-5
R3 - I.BOZOLJAC / N.ZIMONJIC (SRB) def. L.CHIKHLADZE / G.KHRIKADZE (GEO)
7-5 6-4 6-3

Great Britain 3-0 over The Netherlands



R1 - A.MURRAY (GBR) def. R.SLUITER (NED)
6-3 7-5 6-2
R2 - T.HENMAN (GBR) def. R.HAASE (NED)
7-6(4) 6-3 7-6(4)
R3 - J.MURRAY / G.RUSEDSKI (GBR) def. R.HAASE / R.WASSEN (NED)
6-1 3-6 6-3 7-6(5)

Zonal Results

Again a surprising number of 3-0 victories. Also quite a few ties only got one or two rubbers in.

GROUP I FIRST ROUND RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
Winners remain in Group I, losers compete in second round relegation play-off in September

ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE

Chinese Taipei 2-1 over China, P.R.

R1 - Y.LU (TPE) def. P.SUN (CHN)
3-6 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-2
R2 - Y.WANG (TPE) def. X.YU (CHN)
6-3 6-2 6-4
R3 - X.YU / S.ZENG (CHN) def. T.CHEN / C.YI (TPE)
7-6(7) 4-6 7-5 6-3
R4 - Y.LU (TPE) v X.YU (CHN)
R5 - Y.WANG (TPE) v P.SUN (CHN)

India 2-1 over Kazakhstan

R1 - R.BOPANNA (IND) def. D.MAKEYEV (KAZ)
6-2 6-1 6-2
R2 - A.KEDRYUK (KAZ) def. K.RASTOGI (IND)
6-4 6-4 3-6 7-6(2)
R3 - R.BOPANNA / L.PAES (IND) def. A.KEDRYUK / D.MAKEYEV (KAZ)
6-2 6-2 6-2
R4 - A.KEDRYUK (KAZ) v R.BOPANNA (IND)
R5 - D.MAKEYEV (KAZ) v K.RASTOGI (IND)

GROUP II FIRST ROUND TIES

EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE

Morocco 2-1 over Denmark

R1 - R.CHAKI (MAR) def. F.NIELSEN (DEN)
6-4 6-2 6-3
R2 - Y.EL AYNAOUI (MAR) def. R.NORBY (DEN)
6-0 6-3 6-4
R3 - F.NIELSEN / R.NORBY (DEN) def. R.CHAKI / M.EL AAREJ (MAR)
4-6 6-2 7-6(6) 6-3
R4 - Y.EL AYNAOUI (MAR) v F.NIELSEN (DEN)
R5 - R.CHAKI (MAR) v R.NORBY (DEN)

Estonia 2-1 over Slovenia

R1 - G.ZEMLJA (SLO) def. J.ZOPP (EST)
4-6 6-4 7-6(3) 6-3
R2 - M.KUNNAP (EST) def. M.TKALEC (SLO)
7-6(5) 2-6 7-6(10) 7-6(5)
R3 - M.KUNNAP / J.ZOPP (EST) def. L.GREGORC / G.ZEMLJA (SLO)
6-2 3-6 3-6 7-6(5) 6-4
R4 - M.KUNNAP (EST) v G.ZEMLJA (SLO)
R5 - J.ZOPP (EST) v M.TKALEC (SLO)

Ukraine 2-1 over Greece

R1 - S.STAKHOVSKY (UKR) def. A.JAKUPOVIC (GRE)
6-3 6-1 6-2
R2 - K.ECONOMIDIS (GRE) def. S.BUBKA (UKR)
6-3 6-2 6-4
R3 - S.STAKHOVSKY / O.TERESHCHUK (UKR) def. K.ECONOMIDIS / A.JAKUPOVIC (GRE)
6-1 6-4 7-6(4)
R4 - K.ECONOMIDIS (GRE) v S.STAKHOVSKY (UKR)
R5 - A.JAKUPOVIC (GRE) v S.BUBKA (UKR)

Poland 3-0 over Nigeria

R1 - L.KUBOT (POL) def. J.IGBINOVIA (NGR)
6-3 6-2 7-6(4)
R2 - D.OLEJNICZAK (POL) def. A.BABALOLA (NGR)
6-1 6-4 6-3
R3 - M.FYRSTENBERG / M.MATKOWSKI (POL) def. A.BABALOLA / J.IGBINOVIA (NGR)
7-6(4) 7-5 4-6 6-1

Latvia 3-0 over Bulgaria

R1 - A.JUSKA (LAT) def. T.ENEV (BUL)
6-7(5) 6-3 6-3 7-6(3)
R2 - E.GULBIS (LAT) def. I.TRAYKOV (BUL)
6-3 6-2 6-3
R3 - E.GULBIS / D.PAVLOVS (LAT) def. I.KUSHEV / I.TRAYKOV (BUL)
7-5 6-4 6-2

Finland 2-1 over Cyprus

R1 - M.BAGHDATIS (CYP) def. J.PAUKKU (FIN)
6-3 6-3 7-6(3)
R2 - J.NIEMINEN (FIN) def. P.KALLIAS (CYP)
6-1 6-3 6-1
R3 - T.KETOLA / J.NIEMINEN (FIN) def. M.BAGHDATIS / P.KALLIAS (CYP)
4-6 7-6(6) 6-2 6-3
R4 - M.BAGHDATIS (CYP) v J.NIEMINEN (FIN)
R5 - P.KALLIAS (CYP) v J.PAUKKU (FIN)

Monaco 3-0 over Algeria

R1 - B.BALLERET (MON) def. A.HAMEURLAINE (ALG)
6-3 6-2 6-2
R2 - J.LISNARD (MON) def. S.SAOUDI (ALG)
7-5 6-4 6-4
R3 - G.COUILLARD / J.LISNARD (MON) def. A.HAMEURLAINE / S.SAOUDI (ALG)
6-3 7-5 6-7(6) 6-2

Hungary 3-0 over Norway

R1 - K.BARDOCZKY (HUN) def. F.SLETTING-JOHNSEN (NOR)
4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 7-5
R2 - S.KISS (HUN) def. S.BORETTI (NOR)
7-6(5) 6-2 1-6 3-6 6-1
R3 - K.BARDOCZKY / G.KISGYORGY (HUN) def. S.BORETTI / F.SLETTING-JOHNSEN (NOR)
4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(4) 6-2

GROUP II SECOND ROUND TIES
Winners advance to final in September, losers remain in Group II in 2008

AMERICAS ZONE

Uruguay 2-0 over Ecuador

R1 - M.FELDER (URU) def. C.AVELLAN (ECU)
6-3 6-1 6-3
R2 - P.CUEVAS (URU) def. J.CAMPOZANO (ECU)
7-6(11) 6-3 6-3
R3 - M.VILARRUBI / M.FELDER (URU) v C.AVELLAN / J.DURANGO (ECU)
R4 - P.CUEVAS (URU) v C.AVELLAN (ECU)
R5 - M.FELDER (URU) v J.CAMPOZANO (ECU)

Paraguay 1-0 over Dominican Republic

R1 - R.DELGADO (PAR) def. H.ESTRELLA (DOM)
6-0 6-0 6-1
R2 - G.RAMIREZ (PAR) v V.ESTRELLA (DOM)
4-6 Played and unfinished
R3 - R.DELGADO / F.RODRIGUEZ (PAR) v H.ESTRELLA / V.ESTRELLA (DOM)
R4 - R.DELGADO (PAR) v V.ESTRELLA (DOM)
R5 - G.RAMIREZ (PAR) v H.ESTRELLA (DOM)

ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE

Philippines 3-0 over New Zealand

R1 - C.MAMIIT (PHI) def. J.STATHAM (NZL)
6-4 6-4 6-4
R2 - E.TAINO (PHI) def. S.REA (NZL)
6-1 6-2 6-4
R3 - C.MAMIIT / E.TAINO (PHI) def. D.KING-TURNER / S.REA (NZL)
5-7 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 6-2

Kuwait 2-1 over Indonesia

R1 - M.GHAREEB (KUW) def. P.SIMPATIAJI (INA)
7-6(7) 7-5 7-5
R2 - E.SIE (INA) def. A.MUHAMMAD (KUW)
6-3 6-1 6-0
R3 - M.GHAREEB / M.SIDDIQ (KUW) def. S.SUWANDI / B.WIRYAWAN (INA)
6-7(3) 2-6 6-2 6-3 6-3
R4 - M.GHAREEB (KUW) v E.SIE (INA)
R5 - A.MUHAMMAD (KUW) v P.SIMPATIAJI (INA)


GROUP II RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
Winners remain in Group II in 2008, losers relegated to Group III in 2008

AMERICAS ZONE

Netherlands Antilles 2-0 over Jamaica

R1 - J.ROJER (AHO) def. D.JOHNSON (JAM)
6-1 6-2 6-2
R2 - R.WINKLAAR (AHO) def. R.RUSSELL (JAM)
3-6 7-6(3) 6-2 6-2
R3 - D.JOHNSON / R.RUSSELL (JAM) v R.BEHR / J.ROJER (AHO)
R4 - R.RUSSELL (JAM) v J.ROJER (AHO)
R5 - D.JOHNSON (JAM) v R.WINKLAAR (AHO)

El Salvador 1 Cuba 1

R1 - R.AREVALO-GONZALEZ (ESA) def. L.CUELLAR-CONTRERAS (CUB)
6-1 5-7 6-4 6-3
R2 - E.HERNANDEZ-PEREZ (CUB) def. M.AREVALO (ESA)
6-4 3-6 6-4 2-0 – Retired
R3 - M.AREVALO / R.AREVALO-GONZALEZ (ESA) v L.CUELLAR-CONTRERAS / S.MARTINEZ-BREIJO (CUB)
R4 - R.AREVALO-GONZALEZ (ESA) v E.HERNANDEZ-PEREZ (CUB)
R5 - M.AREVALO (ESA) v L.CUELLAR-CONTRERAS (CUB)

ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE

Pakistan 2-1 over Pacific Oceania

R1 - A.KHAN (PAK) def. J.LANGTON (POC)
6-3 6-3 2-6 6-2
R2 - M.LEONG (POC) def. J.KHAN (PAK)
6-1 6-1 6-1
R3 - A.KHAN / S.KHAN (PAK) def. B.BAUDINET / W.NOTT (POC)
5-7 7-6(6) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-3
R4 - M.LEONG (POC) v A.KHAN (PAK)
R5 - J.LANGTON (POC) v J.KHAN (PAK)

Hong Kong, China 2-1 over Iran

R1 - X.LAI (HKG) def. A.SHAHGHOLI (IRI)
6-7(3) 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-3
R2 - H.YU (HKG) def. A.SHOKOOFI (IRI)
6-4 7-6(2) 7-5
R3 - A.SHAHGHOLI / A.SHOKOOFI (IRI) def. H.SO / H.YU (HKG)
6-3 6-4 6-2
R4 - A.SHAHGHOLI (IRI) v H.YU (HKG)
R5 - A.SHOKOOFI (IRI) v X.LAI (HKG)

DC World Group Quarterfinals April 6-8 2007

Teams and Venues



Russia vs France in Russia

Small Sport Arena "Luzhniki", Moscow, Russia
Stadium Capacity: 6500
06 April - 08 April 2007
Day 1: 1400 hrs (1000 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1500 hrs (1100 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1400 hrs (1000 hrs GMT)
Surface: Clay (Red Clay) - Indoors
Ball Type: Head ATP Clay Court

Players

Russia

Nikolay Davydenko
Mikhail Youzhny
Marat Safin
Igor Andreev

Captain: Shamil Tarpishev

France

Arnaud Clement
Richard Gasquet
Michael Llodra
Paul Henri Mathieu

Captain: Guy Forget

This tie is all about the two captains, Shamil Tarpishev and Guy Forget who are considered among the best ever Davis Cup captains. The strategies employed will be closely watched. I'd give Russia the edge here.

Belgium vs Germany in Belgium

Sleuyter Arena, Ostend, Belgium
Stadium Capacity:5000
06 April - 08 April 2007
Day 1: 1330 hrs (1130 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1330 hrs (1130 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1330 hrs (1130 hrs GMT)
Surface: Clay (Red Clay) - Indoors
Ball Type: Head ATP

Players

Belgium

Olivier Rochus
Christophe Rochus
Kristof Vliegen
Dick Norman

Captain: Julien Hoferlin

Germany

Tommy Haas
Florian Mayer
Alexander Waske
Michael Kohlmann


Captain: Patrick Kuhnen

Haas can’t carry Germany on his own. Mayer has been playing well lately. This is a real toss up.N I never underestimate the Rochus brothers.


USA vs Spain in United States




Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Stadium Capacity: 14500
06 April - 08 April 2007
Day 1: 1400 hrs (1800 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1400 hrs (1800 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1400 hrs (1800 hrs GMT)
Surface: Hard (Latex-ite) - Indoors
Ball Type: Wilson US Open Extra Duty

Players

United States

Andy Roddick
James Blake
Bob Bryan
Mike Bryan

Captain: Patrick McEnroe

Spain

Tommy Robredo
David Ferrer
Fernando Verdasco
Feliciano Lopez

Captain: Emilio Sanchez

Tickets sold out in record time for this tie with fans anticipating a replay of the Nadal vs Roddick encounter from a couple of years ago. Rafa, citing a foot injury, pulled out. Roddick has a hamstring injury that caused him to retire during his last match in Miami. I’m sure Andy will show up. The United States would be slightly favored to win this but with Roddick perhaps hampered by injury and Blake having never shown he can handle pressure the playing field is pretty level. I say pick 'em.

Sweden vs Argentina in Sweden



Svenska Massan (Gothenburg Convention Centre), Gothenburg, Sweden
Stadium Capacity: 4000
06 April - 08 April 2007
Day 1: 1300 hrs (GMT 1100 hrs)
Day 2: 1400 hrs (GMT 1200 hrs)
Day 3: 1300 hrs (GMT 1100 hrs)
Surface: Carpet (Taraflex Tennis) - Indoors
Ball Type: Wilson US Open

Players

Sweden

Robin Soderling
Jonas Bjorkman
Thomas Johansson
Robert Lindstedt

Captain: Mats Wilander

Argentina

David Nalbandian
Guillermo Canas
Juan Martin Del Potro
Sebastian Prieto

Captain: Alberto Mancini

With the hottest man in tennis Guillermo Canas on their team as well as David Nalbandian and Juan Martin Del Potro Argentina should do well here. This is one of the most solid teams playing in this phase of Davis Cup competition. If France vs Russia is about the captains this tie is about the Argentine team which should be in Sweden to simply take names.



The Zonal Ties will be covered separately.

Davis Cup 2007 World Group

by Savannah

First Round Overview
In first round play all the ties will be interesting but I think all eyes will be on the first three:

Czech Republic vs United States - Will the US at least represent on clay?

Spain vs Switzerland - Will the Swiss represent without King Roger playing?

Chile vs Russia - Can the Chileans led by Fernando Gonzalez pull out a win against the Russians who are coming in as defending DC champions? The Chilean fans may have a lot to say about this outcome.

Austria vs Argentina – Argentina is fielding a very good team. I like them in this one but in DC you never know.

Germany vs Croatia – Croatia has the better and more experienced team. Haas plays very well during DC but he can't do it alone.

Belgium vs Australia – The Rochus brothers guarantee excitement but I think the Aussies will be out for blood and will pull it off even on clay.

France vs Romania - No reason for the French not to win this one easily.

Detailed Previews: 09 February - 11 February 2007

Czech Republic vs United States
CEZ Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic
Stadium Capacity: 7500
Day 1: 1500 hrs (1400 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1430 hrs (1330 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1400 hrs (1300 hrs GMT)
Surface: Clay (Red Clay) - Indoors
Ball Type: Wilson Australian Open



Czech Republic
Tomas Berdych
Lukas Dlouhy
Ivo Minar
Pavel Vizner
Captain: Jaroslav Navratil

United States
Andy Roddick
James Blake
Mike Bryan
Bob Bryan
Captain: Patrick McEnroe

This is the sixth meeting of these two nations. USA hold a 4-1 advantage but its last three encounters with Czech Republic have all been decided in the fifth rubber. USA suffered its only loss in 1996 but gained revenge in 2000.


Austria vs Argentina
Intersport Arena Linz, Linz, Austria
Stadium Capacity: 5000
Day 1: 1400 hrs (1300 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1400 hrs (1300 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1400 hrs (1300 hrs GMT)
Surface: Carpet (Greenset Trophy) - Indoors
Ball Type: Head ATP



Argentina
Jose Acasuso
Juan Martín del Potro
Guillermo Cañas
Sebastián Prieto
Captain: Alberto Mancini

Austria
Jurgen Melzer
Stefan Koubek
Oliver Marach
Julian Knowle
Captain: Gilbert Schaller

This is the first meeting between these two nations, despite both countries boasting long Davis Cup histories. Austria first competed in 1905, while Argentina made its debut in 1921.


Switzerland vs. Spain
Geneva Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland
Stadium Capacity: 5400
Day 1: 1330 hrs (1230 hrs GMT) tbc
Day 2: 1400 hrs (1300 hrs GMT) tbc
Day 3: 1330 hrs (1230 hrs GMT) tbc
Surface: Carpet (Taraflex) - Indoors
Ball Type: Head ATP



Switzerland
Stanislas Wawrinka
Marco Chiudinelli
Yves Allegro
Stephane Bohli
Captain: Severin Luthi

Spain
Rafael Nadal
David Ferrer
Fernando Verdasco
Feliciano Lopez
Captain: Emilio Sanchez

This is the fifth meeting between the two nations, in a Davis Cup series that started 61 years ago. So far Spain has had the best of it, having won the last three of their four previous match-ups. The nations have not met since 1998.


Germany vs. Croatia
Konig Palast Krefeld, Krefeld
Stadium Capacity: 4600
Day 1: 1345 hrs (1245 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1345hrs (1245 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1300 hrs (1200 hrs GMT)
Surface: Hard (Rebound Ace) - Indoors
Ball Type: Head ATP



Germany
Tommy Haas
Benjamin Becker
Alexander Waske
Michael Kohlmann
Captain: Patrik Kuhnen

Croatia
Ivan Ljubicic
Mario Ancic
Ivo Karlovic
Marin Cilic
Captain: Goran Prpic

This is the third meeting between the two nations, having last met in the 2002 World Group first round when Croatia leveled a 0-1 deficit against Germany, defeating the visitors 4-1 on home soil.


Belgium vs Australia
Country Hall du Sart-Tilman, Liege, Belgium
Stadium Capacity: 4000
Day 1: 1330 hrs (1230 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1500 hrs (1400 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1330 hrs (1230 hrs GMT)
Surface: Clay (Red Clay) - Indoors
Ball Type: Head ATP



Belgium
Olivier Rochus
Christophe Rochus
Kristof Vliegen
Dick Norman
Captain: Julien Hoferlin

Australia
Lleyton Hewitt
Chris Guccione
Peter Luczak
Paul Hanley
Captain: John Fitzgerald

Australia has comfortably won both previous meetings between the two nations; in fact, Belgium has yet to win a rubber, losing 5-0 in Perth in 1991 and 4-0 in Scarborough, Great Britain in 1922. Both nations have a long Davis Cup history, Belgium competing for the first time in 1904 and Australia joining a year later.


Belarus vs Sweden
Football Manege, Minsk, Belarus
Stadium Capacity: 4769
Day 1: 1500 hrs (1300 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1500 hrs (1300 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1300 hrs (1200 hrs GMT)
Surface: Hard (Taraflex) - Indoors
Ball Type: Wilson US Open Regular Duty



Belarus
Max Mirnyi
Vladimir Voltchkov
Pavel Katliarou
Serguei Tarasevitch
Captain: Dmitri Tatur

Sweden
Robin Soderling
Jonas Bjorkman
Thomas Johansson
Simon Asperling
Captain: Mats Wilander

This is the first Davis Cup tie between the two nations. Belarus, in only its 14th year in the competition, has won 10 of its 11 previous home ties.


Chile vs Russia
Campus Deportivo Universidad del Mar, La Serena, Chile
Stadium Capacity: 10,000
Day 1: 1100 hrs (1400 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1200 hrs (1500 hrs GMT)
Day 3: 1100 hrs (1400 hrs GMT)
Surface: Clay (Red Clay) - Outdoors
Ball Type: Pro Penn Extra Duty (Black Seal)



Chile
Fernando Gonzalez
Nicolas Massu
Paul Capdeville
Adrian Garcia
Captain: Hans Gildemeister

Russia
Marat Safin
Dmitry Tursunov
Igor Andreev
Teimuraz Gabashvili
Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

This is the fourth meeting between the two nations, having last met in the 2005 first round where Chile fell at the hands of the Russians 4-1 in Moscow, who went on to win the title. Chile will be fighting to defeat Russia for the first time and playing on home soil could send out warning signs to the defending champions - Chile has won its last nine home ties.

France vs Romania
Zenith - Grand Halle d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Stadium Capacity: 5819
Day 1: 1300 hrs (1200 hrs GMT) tbc
Day 2: 1345 hrs (1245 hrs GMT) tbc
Day 3: 1330 hrs (1230 hrs GMT) tbc
Surface: Hard (Taraflex) - Indoors



France
Richard Gasquet
Sebastian Grosjean
Arnaud Clement
Michael Llodra
Captain: Guy Forget

Romania
Andrei Pavel
Victor Hanescu
Victor-Valentin Crivoi
Horia Tecau
Captain: Florin Segarceanu

These two nations have an extensive Davis Cup history, having met seven times previously to this tie. Romania has won only one of these match-ups, back in 1974 on in its second of three home ties against France. They last met in the 2003 World Group first round in Bucharest where France won the tie 4-1 with a day to spare.