Week 47 - Davis Cup Finals - Madrid, Spain - (Indoor, Hard).

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Week 47 - Davis Cup Finals - Madrid, Spain - (Indoor, Hard).

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Smudge226 wrote:
Oh that's good. Well done boys. Evo played well there. So GB automatically qualify for next year's finals I understand as semi finalists. The easier tie would be Argentina I'm sure but at least the Spanish now have to play dubs and hopefully SAP those legs.

Yep, secured our place next year, so no home/away which will annoy many, but if this format is here to stay (and I hope it is) then ultimately the finals is where you want to be, and there's no chance of that not happening now.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

For those of you who were unfortunate enough not to be able to watch that match, I will sum it up in 4 words.

Evo was truly magnificent.

indiana · Tennis legend

Want the probably easier tie so want Argentina.

Though we could still beat Spain, err 2-1.

Tennpar · Club Coach

smile wow Dan & into the SF, great tennis & even Colin was happy by the end biggrin

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Wow, fantastic! Kyle and Dan must get so much confidence from that. I have to say that must be up there as Dan's best win of the season, and in career.

And I have to say, this format is working for me, I'm a convert.

Now, who will play tomorrow. If spain win, then one of Kyle or dan will play him. My instinct is to rest dan, bring back andy if for. Andy will run himself into ground v PCB, and so kyle and dan will no doubt be back if we made the final.

With PCB beatable, and doubles a strong chance, we must fancy our chances tomorrow if it is spain or Argentina

indiana · Tennis legend

As of now I have more faith in Kyle beating Busta than Andy.

And my vote of confidence in Kyle & Dan for tomorrow while Dan was still out there clearly got Dan over the line So I'll stick with that.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Either way we can beat spain or Argentina in this format.

Guardian suggested andy asked not to play today as he wasnt ready, shame on daily mail for calling it a snub. He was as happy as anyone at the win.

Just pleased for dan and kyle after such a hard few months

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
As of now I have more faith in Kyle beating Busta than Andy.

And my vote of confidence in Kyle & Dan for tomorrow while Dan was still out there clearly got Dan over the line So I'll stick with that.

Really tough one this. PCB has the Indian sign over Kyle for me. Don't think Kyle has ever come close to beating him, all the way back to that famous meeting in the QF at the Cartagena Futures all those years ago.

Conversely, I think Kyle has a better chance than Dan of beating Rafa. I am thinking back to the Masters and Monte Carlo a couple of years ago when for a set and a half, Kyle blasted Rafa off the court. The fast conditions in Madrid might suit that form of attack on Rafa as opposed to Evo's more cultured approach.

So perhaps the best option is for Argentina to win the doubles this evening and change the equation completely.

indiana · Tennis legend

Thanks Bob, I couldn't recall all the Kyle vs Busta history though knew it was there.

Probably then we'd most want Dan vs Busta but we can't have that. This time, Kyle!

indiana · Tennis legend

Granollers & Nadal (!) 4-3* up on Gonzalez & Mayer, having just been broken back.

PS: Actually I see Nadal did play doubles vs Croatia rather than F Lopez. Problem there?

-- Edited by indiana on Friday 22nd of November 2019 10:19:23 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Thanks Bob, I couldn't recall all the Kyle vs Busta history though knew it was there.

Probably then we'd most want Dan vs Busta but we can't have that. This time, Kyle!

Just checked. They have only played twice - once being that match in Cartagena (it was a SF in fact which went 6-4 6-3) and then in the AO in 2017 which PCB won 6-2 6-4 6-2. So Kyle has yet to win a set in the head to head.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Friday 22nd of November 2019 10:21:52 PM

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

JonH is a fan of the new format (as am I), but I'd be very interested to hear what others think. It obviously helps that GB are doing well, and that might influence opinions, as it may have been different had we, hypothetically, lost a group match and went out to a Belgium or USA who got doubles walkovers, but has it been better or worse than you were expecting or even fearing. Has it grown on you, or put you off further?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I never really liked Davis Cup. I was pretty vocal about it on here when the changes were put forward, while steven and others were great fans.

I had a long list of complaints about the old format !!!!!! (With (a) never knowing when it was being played, especially if GB weren't playing, and (b) five sets, being two of the problems, as well as it being every year because with it taking place over the whole year you felt like it hardly stopped and then it was going again)

With the new format, there may be improvements to make, things to tweak, and I can see that home fans have an issue, in terms of not booking tickets ahead for semis and stuff.

But, overall, this seems FAR better.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Ace Ventura wrote:
JonH is a fan of the new format (as am I), but I'd be very interested to hear what others think. It obviously helps that GB are doing well, and that might influence opinions, as it may have been different had we, hypothetically, lost a group match and went out to a Belgium or USA who got doubles walkovers, but has it been better or worse than you were expecting or even fearing. Has it grown on you, or put you off further?

I am certainly enjoying the tournament. It certainly has its pluses. I think it is great for TV audiences to follow the week long tournament and I am sure the sponsors will be glad for all the coverage - albeit only on Eurosport.

But I still worry about the fans at the venue. By all accounts, less than 1000 people were watching the GB/Germany match today. If Spain lose to Argentina tonight, I honestly believe we will see a final played in front of a half empty stadium.

I have been to the Caja Magica many times for the ATP Masters and unless there is a Spaniard on court, the Spanish are not very interested.