Davis Cup - Euro Africa Zone Group II R2 v Luxembourg (home) - 8-10 July 2011

steven · Tennis legend

Davis Cup - Euro Africa Zone Group II R2 v Luxembourg (home) - 8-10 July 2011

steven · Tennis legend

Last time we dropped to EA G II (in 1995), we suffered utter humiliation in our first tie at that level (for Lithuania, read Slovakia), won the relegation tie 5-0 in Eastbourne (for Turkey, read Monaco) then won R1 the next year indoors (for Tunisia in Bolton read Slovenia in Newcastle) ... it would be nice if history could continue repeating itself because we won the next two ties (v Ghana and Egypt) 5-0 and we were knocking on the door of the World Group within a couple of years. A certain Henman and Rusedski had everything to do with that renaissance, of course.

spud · Challenger qualifying

Presuming Andy still wont play at this level which you would presume it will be a tie that we should win 3-2. (Losing both times to Muller, winning other singles and dubs)

The most interesting thing will be the surface we choose to play on.
Muller has a very aggressive game style, so he'd be hardest on grass but i think we'd be doing well to beat him on any surface tbh.
I think we have to go with our strongest surface against their weaker player in my opinion if ygm? Mike Vermeer is ranked very low though so we should beat him on any court.

1. James Ward
2. Best player the surface is suited to
3. Jamie Murray
4. Colin Fleming

Job done.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

are we sure andy won't play, don't forget the 2012 requirement.

wolf · Tennis legend

spud wrote:

Presuming Andy still wont play at this level which you would presume it will be a tie that we should win 3-2. (Losing both times to Muller, winning other singles and dubs)

Andy has said he will play this one, I think.

steven wrote:
Gilles Müller (world no. 90) is still easily Luxembourg's best player. He once reached R3 at Wimbledon (2005), beating a certain Rafael Nadal in R2, albeit it before Rafa worked out how to play on the green stuff.

Plus the QF's of the US Open in 2008.

Or are you just pointing out Wimbledon because the tie will likely be played on grass?

indiana · Tennis legend

steven wrote:

Last time we dropped to EA G II (in 1995), we suffered utter humiliation in our first tie at that level (for Lithuania, read Slovakia), won the relegation tie 5-0 in Eastbourne (for Turkey, read Monaco) then won R1 the next year indoors (for Tunisia in Bolton read Slovenia in Newcastle) ... it would be nice if history could continue repeating itself because we won the next two ties (v Ghana and Egypt) 5-0 and we were knocking on the door of the World Group within a couple of years. A certain Henman and Rusedski had everything to do with that renaissance, of course.

Ha, so we need an import. Anyone pretty decent around the globe with a British mother ?

steven · Tennis legend

wolf wrote:
spud wrote:

Presuming Andy still wont play at this level which you would presume it will be a tie that we should win 3-2. (Losing both times to Muller, winning other singles and dubs)
Andy has said he will play this one, I think.
steven wrote:
Gilles Müller (world no. 90) is still easily Luxembourg's best player. He once reached R3 at Wimbledon (2005), beating a certain Rafael Nadal in R2, albeit it before Rafa worked out how to play on the green stuff.
Plus the QF's of the US Open in 2008.

Or are you just pointing out Wimbledon because the tie will likely be played on grass?

Because the tie will likely be played on grass and because he beat Rafa in his Wimbledon run. Of course, it might not be played on grass after all, but someone who was there said the rumour seemed to be of Eastbourne again.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

With both Andy and James Ward better on hard, I'm not convinced grass would be a good idea.

indiana · Tennis legend

Madeline wrote:

With both Andy and James Ward better on hard, I'm not convinced grass would be a good idea.

My thoughts as soon as I read that. I had been more thinking James and Jamie and other top British players. But I guess Andy too, though actually if he plays he should be able able to take care of himself and in fact the surface probably becomes less of am issue overall. But should still think maximise chances rather than just July = grass, and maximum chances just about whoever the team is I don't think equals grass.

Yes, spud, I know it probably would if Eaton played wink

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 7th of March 2011 11:14:57 AM

GTC · Social player

Piece on James Ward - http://www.globaltennisconnections.co.uk/2011/03/07/gtcs-james-ward-saves-gb-from-tunisian-nightmare/

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

According to OEM in today's Times, Dino was full of cold yesterday, so all credit to him for putting in such a good shift over five sets.

I know I couldn't. wink

philwrig · Hall of fame

If it is to be on hard, where conceivably could the tie be held on an outdoor hardcourt ? Why not Eastbourne, Wardy seemed to enjoy the grass courts there last summer for the pre Wimby tourny and DC. Yes Muller is good on grass, but also good on hard, it seems to me that playing on grass is just as good as playing on any other surface.

GTC · Social player

Who wants the chance to win a signed James Ward GB Davis Cup shirt? Follow us on Twitter for details!!

steven · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:

If it is to be on hard, where conceivably could the tie be held on an outdoor hardcourt ? Why not Eastbourne, Wardy seemed to enjoy the grass courts there last summer for the pre Wimby tourny and DC. Yes Muller is good on grass, but also good on hard, it seems to me that playing on grass is just as good as playing on any other surface.

Why does it have to be outdoors? Indoors nearly always produces a better atmosphere because there's nowhere for the noise to escape to.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Would it not seem strange playing indoors during the summer? Agreed the atmosphere is great indoors but my bet would be it'll played on an outside grass court somewhere.