Davis Cup Draw

scoobsuk · Club Coach

Davis Cup Draw

Salmon · Tennis legend

Why, yes!

That said, Karlovic has returned to form since the last Davis Cup and Cilic is not doing anything big anytime soon. So Karlovic could be recalled.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

I think we can do it, with the tie being home, as long as Andy and Tim are fit and healthy we should win. Unless is Lubicic and Ancic then it will be tough.

scoobsuk · Club Coach

Karlovic has had some disputes with the Davis Cup people in Croatia - he won't be back, in my view, until he's one of the 2 main players ie when Ljubicic does stop playing DC. He's pissed off over only getting a tiny share of the available funds.

mkkreuk · Admin:Moderator + ATP qualifying

I have to agree with nearly all thats bene said on this tie. Its definitely winnable and its set up to be a great tie. On current form and the current teams i'd make GB slight favourites but a lot can change in a few months.

I think GB would be wise to pick a slow outdoor hard court. I think that would give andy the most advantage and neutralise the Croats to some extent.

aria81 · Club Coach

Interesting tie. We have a chance with it and it should be a good competitive tie that goes three days. Obviously I hope Ljubo doesn't play as it gives us a better chance but it should be good. It'll be interesting to see what the surface is going to be. Obviously a quicker court is better for Tim - but it's also better for the Croats so I guess a slow hard would be better.

mike55 · Lower Club Player

Does anyone have any idea when the decision will be made as to where the tie will be played (and what surface)?

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I think a slow/ / slowish hard court best. Grass or a fast hard court would be taking too many chances especially if Karlovic was playing.

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Grass is the surface to pick, because that way you completely take Ljubicic out of the equation, because Murray and Henman would both beat him, and we would probably win the doubles as well

Yes... Ancic and Karlovic are good on grass, but you would have to back Murray to beat them both with him being such a good returner against a target man, and you would think that Henman or the doubles could pick up another point

All this talk about Karlovic being good on grass... other than his queens final he hasnt done anything on grass for 2/3 years, and has lost to a lot worse grass court players than Henman/Murray in that period, losing to Bastl, Wawrinka and Bracciali, so I would bank on us beating him twice

Indoor court is a no go area, as that favours Ljubicic, and we can't play on clay and both Ancic and Ljubicic are better than Murray on that surface. An outdoor hard court is the other option, but it would have to be a very slow court... so because of that, put the tie on grass

mkkreuk · Admin:Moderator + ATP qualifying

YOu really think so? i'd fancy (a fully fit and in form) Ancic to beat both Murray and Henman on grass and the others could still trouble team GB.

anyways grass in september? hmmm

Outdoor slow hardcourt sounds sensible to me.

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

mkkreuk wrote:

YOu really think so? i'd fancy (a fully fit and in form) Ancic to beat both Murray and Henman on grass and the others could still trouble team GB.

anyways grass in september? hmmm

Outdoor slow hardcourt sounds sensible to me.

Ancic is the kind of player Murray likes to play against though, with his serve and volley game, and Henman beat Ancic in Japan last year, so he would have a chance against him

I'd expect Ancic to beat Henman, but it shouldn't matter, as I'd back us to win at least 3 of the other rubbers (and Ancic/Henman could be the 5th rubber if Ljubicic plays, so we could have already won by then)

RedCabbage · Club Coach

Karlovic can be beaten by anyone just as he can beat anyone. The majority of Ivo sets go to tie breakers at which point they become a bit of a lottery. GB are going to be favourites for this tie so I think Croatia would be foolish not to play Karlovic - he would stand a good chance against anything GB could throw at him, whereas you could only see one winner in Murray vs Cilic.

Plus, I'm fascinated in how Murray would deal with the best serve in the game. Am I right in thinking they've never played? I can't remember a time.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

to be honest murray should be able to handle ivo, can't remember them playing, but ui also dont rmembe andy every really being troubled by just a huge serve. he anaihalated moodie recently and he can handle a-rod.

GC77 · County player

Andy played Karlovic in the final of San Jose. Karlovic played the match of his life on his dream surface and still lost.

Salmon · Tennis legend

Andy played Ivo in San Jose.

Mkkreuk, I am sure that at this moment a fully fit Ancic will be the favourite against Tim and Andy on grass. But come September, Andy will have improved to someone who can challenge for Slams. I expect to see him in the top 5 by then.