Hey! Where's the optimism?

Argentina could do a Croatia on us, or they might not choose clay (OK, that one might be a bit too much to hope for!). We have a top player in Andy, so long as he's fit there's no reason why he can't win against any of the Argentinians, so that's the first two points. Partner Andy and Jamie together, a combination we know for a fact works really well and we could get that point too Jamie's won a challenger on clay and Andy's grown up on the stuff so whilst it may not be the favourite surface we shouldn't fear it as much as with Tim and Greg. I'll admit Baker, Boggo and Bloomers are unlikely to win a singles rubber on clay but miracles happen.

It's a big ask and Argentina will go in being strong favourites but I see no reason to write the whole tie off just yet.

wolf wrote:

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I suppose stranger things have happened, so lets not pass it as a foregone conclusion.

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That's my point

It could very well turn out like the Swiss tie and we lose 5-0 but until I watch the matches I'm going to hold onto the hope that it not the case

ForeverDelayed wrote:

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Argentina away.... is there really much point in us going down there, as I can't see any result other than 5-0 to them

Murray is a very good player, but there are 6/7 Argentines I would favour to beat him on clay, especially in South America

At least we got back into the world group, but I don't see us staying there for long

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* A certain Mr Nalbandian would agree.

One-man Britain have no chance, says Nalbandian
By MIKE DICKSON
Great Britain have no chance of returning to the Davis Cup World Group next year, claims David Nalbandian.

Argentina's beaten Wimbledon finalist of 2002 believes that John Lloyd's team will lose in Buenos Aires in February without a top second singles player to support Andy Murray.

The British No 1 was playing another Argentinian, Juan Ignacio Chela, in the second round of the Madrid Masters last night but whatever the outcome, Nalbandian feels it will have no bearing on the outcome of next year's opening round tie.

'If I'm honest then I really don't think that you have much chance at all,' said Nalbandian, who is 25th in the world but only Argentina's fourth-best player.

'Andy might be able to win one match but for him to win three in three days is going to be very difficult on a slow clay surface with the weather hot, because it is near the height of our summer.'

Britain will play the tie at the 15,000-capacity Parque Roca and Nalbandian added: 'It will be a great atmosphere especially against you guys.' 'There's always something a bit extra when it's Argentina versus Britain.

'We always think we have got a big chance anyway when we are at home on clay. The only opposition we would fear would be Spain.'

At a time when the country's rugby team have performed beyond expectations it is worth remembering that their sporting prowess beyond football also extends to tennis and golf. Argentina have 12 tennis players in the world top 100, which is 11 more than Britain with all its financial resources.

'In all our sports the government or governing bodies do not have much money, so everyone has to fight for what they get,' said Nalbandian by way of possible explanation.

Murray, meanwhile, had a brief meeting yesterday morning with Gayle Bradshaw, the ATP Tour's vice-president of rules and competition about his comments on match-fixing last week.

As Murray said after his first round win, he did not have much to add and the meeting was described as 'routine'.

This'll be so tough! I hope that all the team members will play in Vina Del Mar the week before DC. It has been ages since they've played on South American clay.

bit more news:

James A and Ross both really want to partner jamie M (bet James is thinking he may have been better swicthing playing sides earlier) Andy is still talking as if Boggo is definatly in the team.

Link




-- Edited by Count Zero at 09:32, 2007-11-06

not that i know of, but wasnt that his reason for not wanting to play with jamie in the past? that they both play same side.

over on the AM site, i posted a bit more on this.

i'd say take both over and see who holds up best in the conditions james or ross. the lta can afford to take them both so why not. would be a good experince.

of course JL may want Andy to play the dubs aswell, although i dont think thsi is wise, as andy has the whole year to look at and i think that would really knacker him out early on.