Davis Cup - Euro Africa Zone I Play-offs - GBR v Poland 18-20 September 2009

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

RE: Davis Cup - Euro Africa Zone I Play-offs - GBR v Poland 18-20 September 2009

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

I hope I get to see Murray and Evans :D

mjd · Challenger qualifying

alex03maccy wrote:

there's no point having skupski in there without fleming. and hutchins is just not in the form.

Ken is from Liverpool and he is GBR dbls no 2 - that's why.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

The Polish doubles specialists just saved a match point in 2nd set TB, at 9-9 atm. I hope their form continues :D

Sheddie · administrator

I guess they want to give Skupski a taste of the DC experience given Flemski could be DC regulars in the future.

After Murray's commitment to the tie I'm guessing Lloyd has pretty much decided on Murray and Hutchins for the doubles rubber. Makes sense after the number of ATPs they've played together plus they practise all the time.

I hope Evans gets the 2nd spot, I think he has the best chance of upsetting Kubot indoors.

If Murray wins the US Open and then pulls out, I'd pick Ward and Evans then add Fleming to the squad and use Flemski for doubles. Goodall has had plenty of chances in ATPs, played DC against Ukraine and just hasn't shown the ability to win matches in the spotlight. If he has some good runs in challengers and gets back into the top 200 again then reconsider for the March tie.

-- Edited by The Shedman on Wednesday 2nd of September 2009 07:54:12 PM

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

murray_2k9 wrote:

The Polish doubles specialists just saved a match point in 2nd set TB, at 9-9 atm. I hope their form continues :D

They won the TB & they may be a world-class pair, seeded sixth at the USO, but they eventually lost to the Yanks, Ryan Harrison & Kaes Van't Hof, 3-6 7-6(10) 5-7! biggrin

If Harrison & Van't Hof can do it, why not our DC doubles pairing, whoever that may be, later this month?

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

^^^

You'd have expected the Poles to win the match having saved match points in the second set TB and then levelled it up at 5-5 in the 3rd having been 5-2 down, but obviously not, and that result must give the Brits some confidence.

Pretty much expected squad announcement and I guess we are looking at Murray and Evans for singles, Hutchins for doubles, and then Goodall or Ward as the backup player, more likely to be Goodall given the surface and his doubles ability.

wolf · Tennis legend

This is an extract from ACE Magazine's blog on the LTA site:

Far more importantly, it was to listen to John Lloyd, the Davis Cup captain, and Paul Annacone, the Davis Cup coach, announce their squad for the crucial AEGON Team GB Davis Cup tie against Poland, which kicks off in 16 days precisely.

Although eventually required to name a team of four, captains are allowed to change this until 24 hours before the draw, so John had Paul had settled on a squad of six, led by Andy Murray. Judging by his shirt, John was clearly in a bright mood.

Alongside the Muzzmeister, Lloyd and Annacone have selected Ross Hutchins, James Ward, Josh Goodall, the precocious Dan Evans, and local boy Ken Skupski. But where is the other half of Flemski? Alas injured. What a shame. The Poles on the other hand aren't even sure if their No.1 player will be playing, because he's entered into a tournament in Warsaw that same week. Perhaps he doesn't have a diary...

I hope John Lloyd didn't pick Fleming because he thought it was injured, because he seems to be fine considering he is playing Cumberland this week. I would have picked Skupski over Fleming myself, but other than the fact he is a local boy, I can't understand why else Lloyd would have picked him (except for the same reason I would have picked him, because he's a slightly better doubles player, but can't see Lloys thinking like this).

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i saw in today's sun Andy says he wants to play as many matches as possible and that he wants Dan to be the no2 he says if you keep changing the no2 you will never build team spirit.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

A bit more about that in the Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6819196.ece

And a bit more detailed from the Scottish Daily Record: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis-news/2009/09/03/andy-murray-i-m-fully-committed-to-great-britain-in-the-davis-cup-86908-21644445/

-- Edited by Madeline on Thursday 3rd of September 2009 11:53:23 AM

seagull · Hall of fame

Kubot is entered into the Szczecin Challenger this week which is one of the biggest events in Poland so hopefully he will give DC a miss!

Fleming is entered in Sweden & Notts futures

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

If Kubot was to pull out, who would their singles be, Jancowicz and?

Also will this tie be televised?

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Not surprised at all that Kubot doesn't seem to be interested in playing Davis Cup as he hasn't played since 2007.

Marcin Gawron is next on the ranking list at 277, but has never won a match indoors in his career and hasn't won a match off the clay in 2009.

For Poland's last tie, they had Panfil and Pryzsiezny as their back up singles players.

Panfil is ranked 394 and has won back to back matches twice since March and has a career 3-15 record indoors, while Pryzsiezny has dropped to 658 in the rankings.

If Kubot doesn't play, then we should win the tie, as you'd imagine we could win either the doubles or one of the matches involving out second player. (and even if he does play, it's not beyond the possibility that Evans could beat him anyway)

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

The Magician Santoro wrote:

Also will this tie be televised?

Yup smile Not the entire session on Friday, though, unless they use the red button:

Davis Cup - Great Britain v Poland

Friday 20 September
1200-1600, BBC Two/online

Saturday 21 September
1430-1630, BBC One/online
1630-1730, BBC Two/online

Sunday 22 September
1300-1500, BBC Two/online

mike55 · Lower Club Player

The Magician Santoro wrote:

If Kubot was to pull out, who would their singles be, Jancowicz and?

Also will this tie be televised?

Yes it will, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6102132.stm