The Times and other media

Mikeduke · County player

RE: The Times

Count Zero · Tennis legend

According to a swedish "newspaper" (aftonbladet) two players in Stockholm Open were arrested yesterday when they tried to buy sex.

i wonder which 2

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

Count Zero wrote:

According to a swedish "newspaper" (aftonbladet) two players in Stockholm Open were arrested yesterday when they tried to buy sex.

i wonder which 2

i think i would make a guess of Montanes and Serra...something tells me Haas and Floppy wouldn't need to pay for it confuse

Stuart Fraser · Lower Club Player

Since this seems to be the thread for articles and such like, can I give a quick shameless plug for my weekly tennis blog. Covers general happenings on the tour and always plenty of British issues to discuss as well. It's updated every Monday and can be accessed at http://www.stuart-fraser.co.uk/talkingballs.htm

Sorry to hijack the thread with a plug. Promise I won't do it again wink

-- Edited by Stuart Fraser on Monday 19th of October 2009 11:10:56 PM

-- Edited by Stuart Fraser on Monday 19th of October 2009 11:11:22 PM

Shhh · Challenger level

Thats a good read Stuart, thanks for the link, will stick it in my favourites.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

latest Net Post.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6898477.ece

highlights the fact that JL will most likely be reinstating Baker back to the DC team and also mentions Flemski's recent success.

Tennis36 · Masters Series Champion

with all due respect to baker his success has come at futures level, should we not wait before he is tested in challengers before we already reinstate him in the team

Count Zero · Tennis legend

well the next DC opponents are more like futures level anyway! JB has always been JL's fav so it was no huge surprise to be honest.

i agree the media don't seem to highlight the differences in achievements between challenger and futures very often, whether that's through ignorance or an other agenda who knows.

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

"Fleming and Skupski (Flemski to their chums)"

i think he means us

I was thinking about this the other day - if we pencil in Baker and Flemski to the Davis Cup side for Lithuania, who is the other player going to be? It's really open at the moment, Goodall is well out of form, Ward is still recovering from injury, Evo is still fragile/unpopular after his display in the last tie and Boggo is of course well out of favour.

I was wondering, might this be Bloomers' best chance of making a Davis Cup appearance? I think Evo and Josh are ahead of him, but if it was ever going to happen it would be for this tie - he would be a solid back-up to Jamie B

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i just cant see bloomers getting the nod to be honest. If we assume Boggo is a no go unless he does something truly spectacular between now and then then i'd still say Evo will get the nod. the powers that be stuck by him after the poland tie, which would have been the idea time to stick the knife in.

as of today is say

Evo
Baker
Flemski
not sure who for a 5th.

Shhh · Challenger level

The Knight wrote:

Evo is still fragile/unpopular after his display in the last tie

That may be the opinion of some on here but I had the feeling that Llyod/LTA had far from given up on him. At the moment I'd say Evans & Baker are in the mind for singles with Flemski the doubles.

A lot may change before next year of course. This weeks result for Jamie Baker was disappointing, if repeated regulary then his recent run would look more like a false dawn.

Any player who performs at a higher level, Ausie Open qualies/main draw for example, would surely shoot straight to the top of the list.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

I agree with Shh generally although i'm not sure i'd read too much into the AOQ events, the courts and conditions there are a long way from waht we will probably see in Lithuania. really it should be down to the early indoor season, hopefully some of the guys will be picking up some good challenger results. i wonder if Lloydy will opt for another playoff, maybe not if he is certain about baker and evo.

thegingerlightbulb · Intermediate Club Player

Flemski have to be in the next team, they're our best team without a doubt. Of the singles; I think Bogdanovic needs another chance, he may have just turned a corner, and if he does fail at this level, well then at least we know he can't perform at any DC level. I think Lloyd will go for Baker as second choice, and that wouldn't be a bad thing. Of the other options Goddall and Bloomfield will never be a threat to major countries, Evans is not consistant enough yet. If I were captain I would possibly throw in Smeathurst, who has picked up useful results in tough countries. I would also take Ashley Hewitt and George Morgan, Oliver Golding and Liam Broady along for some experience

indiana · Tennis legend

I do agree with thegingerlightbulb that this would be an ideal match to play Bogdanovic, the undoubted current British No 2, a chance hopefully to get the monkey off his back and if he doesn't produce this time, then there is more case then for saying he just doesn't do it in Davis Cup. He has had 2 or 3 disappointing results, but most matches one would have tipped him to lose and there have been some extenuating circumstances.

However, I guess we have been there, passed on our various and different thoughts rather a lot, and unfortunately I think Boggo will be bypassed again.

So at the moment to me it could well be Evo and Jamie B plus Flemski, although the singles spots are certainly up for grabs based on form over the next few months. I'd like to see both Evo and Jamie B producing good Challenger form and how Goodall and / or Ward start next season could bring them into contention.

Do we know the likely surface / pace of surface yet ? Clearly, a relatively fast indoor circuit would mitigate against Ward.

I do think Jamie B has a good attitude and spirit that is likely to make him play towards his best in Davis Cup and not be as fazed as some others seem to have been. At the moment if he can continue his recent progress and produce some decent challenger results then I would guess my ideal team come March would be Boggo, Jamie B and Flemski, but again I 'd be very surprised if Boggo was chosen. Much as I said could change, particularly singleswise.

I don't see anyone else being a realistic singles option unless they produce some extraordinarily unexpected performances in the next few months. Re doubles, especially as long as he is not clearly ranked above Fleming and Skupski then without potentially Muzza in the team to partner I don't see Hutchins as a likely selection. This looks very much Flemski's time, especially as Colin is a creditable singles fill-in.

Bleh to play off. Lloyd should use his judgement to select the best team to win the tie, based on all eligible players, presumably excluding Muzza.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Boggo has no chance and will never be given another Wimby wild card . Whether that's fair or not that is the current position . I only see this changing if he can get himself back near the top 100.