Fed Cup 2013 part 2

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Fed Cup 2013 part 2

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Rather too obvious in the end; Bally didn't have the legs for a long 3 set match, debatable whether she was fit enough for a short 3 set match. Poor serving really cost us today. Both Elena and Laura guilty of low first serve percentages, not enough unreturned serves, too many dfs. Ormechea and Irigoyen managed to serve reasonably well and thus had a crucial 10 point advantage before the rallies started. For all Laura and Elena's weaknesses on the clay, poor movement, unwise shot selection etc, it is disappointing that we've given away two matches through an inability to put together a decent serving display.

-- Edited by kundalini on Sunday 21st of April 2013 07:34:07 PM

steven · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
( PS : Steven, thanks for that other line, but no mate, says he in as gruff a voice as he can manage LOL )

Took me a while to work out which of the sentences below you were objecting to ... then it dawned on me! Perhaps not the best way to separate the first half of the post from the second half

biggrin

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Theres nothing on the other girls twitters to suggest who is replacing Jo. Im very surprised at the switch up, but I think Jo must have said she doesnt feel she is the best for the job.

steven · Tennis legend

murray_2k9 wrote:
Theres nothing on the other girls twitters to suggest who is replacing Jo. Im very surprised at the switch up, but I think Jo must have said she doesnt feel she is the best for the job.

Mike Dickson reckons it could be Bally.

I guess the logic would be that if Laura wins, give Bally a go (if her fitness holds out, she should have a decent chance) and if that doesn't work, you've got your best doubles team and they would be favourites for the 5th rubber.

steven · Tennis legend

Now confirmed that it's Bally.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

The decision was absurd in my opinion and it was Judys first slip up as captain, though only really because Laura let the side down does it appear as bad as it was.

I think its very poor form that of the players available, we field a player who just over a week ago admitted her body totally broke down in a 3 set match on clay. So when faced with a very slow clay court and an experienced clay courter there is no way you should play someone who was totally unfit. All Irogyen had to do was drag the match out - do nothing special, have no weapons and just keep making balls - what could be sweeter for a girl whos grown up and earned all her successes on clay!?

You have to ask yourself this - what made her pick Konta in the first place and how could all that have changed on the basis of one tie that Konta was never expected to win.

I should clarify that I think Judy is a fantastic coach and I have full confidence in her to get us back into the play offs and ultimately into the World Group. She is definitely the right woman for the job and this tie doesnt change that at all. Also, we dont know what went on behind the scenes, so I am basing this purely on the objective information available.

-- Edited by murray_2k9 on Sunday 21st of April 2013 08:38:32 PM

paulisi · Tennis legend

I think we could pick any of the girls for the second singles and they would win.

This first match is crucial - come on Laura... Not many there again.

PaulM · Tennis legend

I agree tony. I think this was always on the cards. Bally either has to play to win te tie, or play to keep us in it. She is the best mentally

If it goes to deciding doubles, Anne will be fresh physically and mentally.

murrayman650 · ATP level

3rd Rubber

Robson to serve

15-0

30-0

40-0

1-0

indiana · Tennis legend

As long as Bally's fitness holds, I think she will win in straight sets, so no issue about being tested by a third set. Anne also now clear to play the hopefully non crucial doubles with Laura.

It's probably a bit of a risk, putting her in a match that was winnable, but also loseable, for Anne or Jo. In spite of the real doubts I have expressed re Bally, and I think it was right she didn't play their no 1, this is an easier tadk, and on her early form of her match last week one I would expect her to win, as I said, in straight sets.

Certainly, to me, an understandable selection, and I remain confident that GB will win at least two of the remaining three matches.
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murrayman650 · ATP level

15-0

15-15

15-30

30-30

40-30

1-1

15-0

15-15

15-30

15-40

2-1 Ormachea

murrayman650 · ATP level

0-15

0-30

0-40

2-2

0-15

15-15

15-30

15-40

30-40

3-2 Ormachea (2 double faults in Game)

indiana · Tennis legend

paulisi, I am not as confident as you that we would win the second match with Anne or Jo, which is why I think any risk in playing Bally is probably reasonable. If they were really very confident that Jo would win that match, then she would be the obvious selection. I reckon they weren't very confident ( I think with justification ), hence Bally's selection.

steven · Tennis legend

Yes, I think that's about right - and it also means we have our best doubles team if it goes to a 5th rubber, where you'd think we'd be big favourites, not least because the surface is less of a factor in doubles where more of the shots are played at the net.