Davis Cup 2018 World Group Play-Off - Great Britain v Uzbekistan - 14-16 September

flamingowings · All-time great

RE: Davis Cup 2018 World Group Play-Off - Great Britain v Uzbekistan - 14-16 September

JonH · All-time great

Good team selection, great to see Dan back, didn't expect that. I think given the match is meaningless on a competition level it is right Andy and kyle chose not to play and also great that leon chose the team he did.

Will watch with more interest now than I might have done

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Miriambee wrote:
Stircrazy wrote:
indiana wrote:
If Andy and Kyle are out of the equation ( although didn't Andy say a week or so ago he'd like to be part - guess he'll still be about ) then a natural selection if you're going for the best team to win, with Jay maybe just pipping Liam.
The Beeb's view of the team selection.
All the talk about those not playing, not too many words about those who are playing - definitely a missed opportunity.

I love Leon's phrase of Kyle's body being 'deconditioned' smile

Will have to remember - that's what mine is - on a rather more permanent basis - not unfit, just deconditioned.

NB This Davis Cup meeting seems completely pointless to me, if it is not to decide anything at all, but wish the lads well.

JonH · All-time great

In serious matches, Spain chosen Nadal, PCB, RBA, Lopez and granollers for match v France. Probably their strongest team.

With France v Spain and USA in semis we have top 3 in strongest nation standings in semis. Aren't we good

-- Edited by JonH on Tuesday 4th of September 2018 08:42:44 AM

SuperT · Futures level

I absolutely understand why Andy and Kyle have chosen not to play. Both have physical issues and it's not worth risking their bodies for a tie where the result doesn't really matter. However, I will very disappointed if Kyle then decides to turn up and play in the totally meaningless Laver Cup.

Jaffa · Challenger level

SuperT wrote:
I absolutely understand why Andy and Kyle have chosen not to play. Both have physical issues and it's not worth risking their bodies for a tie where the result doesn't really matter. However, I will very disappointed if Kyle then decides to turn up and play in the totally meaningless Laver Cup.

I bet appearance fee dictates he does!

Tennis Nut · Social player

Probably best to prepare to be disappointed. After five out of six 1st round losses it was time to be honest and stop to reflect on lack of strength and conditioning as well as organise some long delayed medical checkups. This is a planned three week process and unfortunately can't be split into two weeks, fit in DC and then one further week. That's not how you build an S&C programme.

So for the benefit of Kyle he has a three week training block, most of which is in hot humid conditions, with some time in the UK for medical appointments. Unfortunately this coincides with DC. He will be playing Laver Cup if his S&C programme goes according to plan and the medical checkups are fine. This decision took much debate and amongst Kyle and his team but three illnesses in 12 months requires a stop-check at some point and this is the right decision to avoid ruining the rest of the year.

The money from Laver Cup vs Davis Cup will not change his life or this decision.

indiana · Tennis legend

Thanks for the info.

Though all in all it would seem on the face of it probably a good idea to give Laver Cup a miss too. And build further to his next individual tournament.

Rather than go to a representative event short of form, matches and with these very understandable concerns re illnesses and the effect they have had. I really do hope they can find some answers from the tests etc to help him push forward again and be able to much more consistently play near his best tennis.

flamingowings · All-time great

indiana wrote:
Thanks for the info.
Though all in all it would seem on the face of it probably a good idea to give Laver Cup a miss too. And build further to his next individual tournament.

Rather than go to a representative event short of form, matches and with these very understandable concerns re illnesses and the effect they have had. I really do hope they can find some answers from the tests etc to help him push forward again and be able to much more consistently play near his best tennis.

I heard it's recurring tonsillitis, annoyingly I can't find where on twitter I saw it but maybe he should get them removed if so

JonH · All-time great

Regarding which teams are involved in 2019. The winnera this weekend are but I hadn't spotted the nuance that the 12 unseeded qualifiers won't be the losers from the playoffs but rather the top 12 ranked Davis cup nations not already seeded by having ruched the quarter finals this year or having won in this weekends play offs.

Gb will still be safe but one or two others lower down may feel some jeopardy.

From DC site :
February's qualifying round.

The eight winners of this September's World Group play-offs will be guaranteed a seeding in February's qualifying round (which sees 12 home-and-away ties take place to define the 12 qualifiers into the new Davis Cup Finals), alongside this year's four losing quarterfinalists. The 12 unseeded nations, meanwhile, will be determined by the Davis Cup nations ranking of Monday 17 September, raising the importance

Smudge226 · Club Coach

As you say Jon it will be more a contest now and I'm really looking forward to seeing Dan and Cam play Istomin for example. Jay deserves his place, breaking top 200 even if a bit gutted for Liam after he played so well last time out.
I'd love to see a different combo in the dubs though, good opportunity this time if we're already safe to qualify.

indiana · Tennis legend

Smudge226 wrote:
As you say Jon it will be more a contest now and I'm really looking forward to seeing Dan and Cam play Istomin for example. Jay deserves his place, breaking top 200 even if a bit gutted for Liam after he played so well last time out.
I'd love to see a different combo in the dubs though, good opportunity this time if we're already safe to qualify.

Safe to qualify but not to be seeded unless we beat Uzbekistan.

Now you can still be unlucky with the draw but the odds are better on a kinder draw if seeded.

I'd go Murray & Inglot, maybe a big boring but the best selection, even moreso with Cam probably playing two singles matches.

JonH · All-time great

Looking at the Uzbeks team, they really only have istomin of any note. It's hard to see us not winning 3 out of 5, maybe famous last words, but this should be a victory.

-- Edited by JonH on Tuesday 4th of September 2018 10:06:11 PM

Smudge226 · Club Coach

Yes Indy, I'm sure this will be what happens with seeding up for grabs. I guess the only chance for a different approach would be two nil up on day1 where I think a change could be made the evening before but it's unlikely.

JonH · All-time great

So in the draw tomorrow, hard to see cam not being picked. Question is who will leon pick to play istomin first up. Personally I can't see Jay beating istomin whereas Dan could have a chance - so I'd personally choose Dan. Tough call though