Davis Cup 2013 - World Group Playoff - Croatia v GB - 13-15 September

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

RE: Davis Cup 2013 - World Group Playoff - Croatia v GB - 13-15 September

korriban · Challenger level

Putting Mr Evans aside for one moment, Dodig played aggressive, powerful, physical, speedy and relentless tennis - going for the lines and coming into the net to put away volleys at the slightest sign of a chance - and he did it with almost no mistakes whatsoever. I don't know what the error count was, but I'll wager it was astoundingly low for the Croatian. Immaculate tennis, and if he plays like that on Sunday, he will be quite a handful for Andy and that will be a very hard match for Mr Murray to win unless he plays his best.

I don't think Dan really had a chance today, because he was ruthlessly outmuscled - something that Nishikori, Tomic and Robredo simply can't do. Hopefully he will take this as yet another "lesson" in his tennis journey, underlining the work he still needs to do to compete against a power player (I recall Del Potro also giving him a spanking on grass this Summer). Whether Croatia pick Veic or Coric, I think Dan will win the last rubber should the match still be live.

If we lose the doubles, I'd be doubtful we would prevail as both singles matches have an element of risk about them, but I'd put any GB doubles team as a strong favourite.

RJA · Hall of fame

Winning the doubles isn't a given with the form that Dodig is in. We are talking about the guy who this year reached the Wimbledon final and US Open SF. Obviously he won't have a partner as good as Melo but as long as Pavic plays okay the match is likely to be competitive.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

For the record, Dan lost by 3, 2 & 3. cry (even if it was expected)

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

No hint of a surprise today - the tie starts for real tomorrow with the doubles

scottie1 · Futures level

I am not confident about Andy beating Dodig on clay. I thought Andy was just ok against Coric. He will have to improve.
Coverage on Eurosport is dreadful. Annabel Croft is a terrible interviewer though I thought Jamie Baker did quite well when his mic was working.

Bob in Croatia · Improver

All fairly predictable stuff today. The most interesting part for me was to see what a talent young Coric is going to be. He played fantastically well for the first half of the first set but was obviously never going to trouble Andy.

If Andy is going to beat Dodig, he will have to serve much better than he did today. Dodig played a very solid game and Evo didn't really have any answers when Dodig came to the net.

From my reporters standpont, sorry to say I didn't manage to get any big scoops (yet) today, other than the large strawberry one on the ice cream cone walking back.

RJA · Hall of fame

Bob in Croatia wrote:
From my reporters standpont, sorry to say I didn't manage to get any big scoops (yet) today, other than the large strawberry one on the ice cream cone walking back.

I'm sorry but that simply isn't good enough. Bob in Spain, or even the very naughty Bob in Brazil, would have provided us with lots of insider information. Sort it out.

TMH · Futures qualifying

The remaining three ties really could go either way, when you factor in that clay is our boys' weakest surface. I'll be surprised if Coric starts over Veic as well (if it's still to play for). Doubles could well prove vital.

huntley93 · Strong Club Player

marray should play if murrays slightly injured keeping him fresh for the deciding singles if needed, its not as though colin and johnny have been unsucessfull when they have played together this year

Spectator · All-time great

For all the concerns people have had over the years, I think one of the really brilliant things about the GB Davis Cup Team is the real sense that the younger players have of wanting to play ... doing their best and then a little bit better ... really rejoicing in the "for the team" and "honour to play for my country" aspects of the whole. This is largely true in other countries as well, I think ... but the fact that it can't be taken for granted is seen in the occasional instances where young players have either not been called up or have been dismissed for lack of commitment. Well done, Team GB, including Mr Evans.

Like Huntley93, I'm assuming Marray and Fleming will play together tomorrow. Far better a top 20 doubles team and a top 3 singles player for the next ties than Mr Murray and Mr Fleming and then either a subpar Mr Murray or a doubles player in a singles position.

philwrig · Hall of fame

steven wrote:
Noticed Bob in the crowd, looking completely relaxed despite Muzz making heavy weather of this early on ... plus earlier a few of the AMFFers waving flags.

Didn't see Bob, but then again given that he is an egg on twitter, its not exactly easy to spot someone that you have no idea what they look like ! however I did see plenty of Liz, who seemed to be shown everytime they wanted to show the GB support.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I personally felt Andy made Coric look good in the 1st set, Coric has no obvious weapons other than consistency.

As for Dodig like everyone else I thought he was unbelievably impressive, much better than when I saw him play Rafa at the US open. Evo had a below par day today, I'm hoping that's because of his lack of experience on clay, and not a letdown from his US open heriocs.

I would go with Marray as well, Andy will probably still beat Dodig but its not a guarantee anymore. Coric will surely be replaced and if so would make Evo 50/50 against his replacement.

We should still win but its now looking tighter than I first thought.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Looking good, Mr. B !

philwrig · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
philwrig wrote:
steven wrote:
Noticed Bob in the crowd, looking completely relaxed despite Muzz making heavy weather of this early on ... plus earlier a few of the AMFFers waving flags.
Didn't see Bob, but then again given that he is an egg on twitter, its not exactly easy to spot someone that you have no idea what they look like ! however I did see plenty of Liz, who seemed to be shown everytime they wanted to show the GB support.
You might say I am an egg in real life as well - albeit a fried old wizzened one. That was me in the red shirt sitting next to Liz all the way through.

Haha identity finally revealed, I now can see why you didn't put up a photo on twitter #onlykidding