Fed Cup 2013 part 2

PaulM · Tennis legend

RE: Fed Cup 2013 part 2

indiana · Tennis legend

Darn, couldn't turn things round with a crucial hold at * 1 - 3 this time. Saves 2 BPs from 0 - 40 but DFs on the third.

1 - 4 *.

murrayman650 · ATP level

15-0

30-0

30-15

40-15

40-30

40-40

adv Ormeachea

5-1

murrayman650 · ATP level

0-15

15-15

15-30 (8th DF)

30-30

40-30

40-40

adv Ormaechdea

40-40

adv Ormaechdea (9th DF)

40-40

adv Robson

5-2

RJA · Hall of fame

I will make a rare* venture into the women's forum to back up Indiana. Frankly it is absurd to say that picking Bally was absurd. That she almost certainly wasn't fit enough to play a three set match is completely irrelevant because everyone knew that and picking her was basically a gamble that she could win straight sets. It was a simple choice, who is most likely to win, Bally in straight sets or Jo in 2 or 3 sets. Now I think you could make a case either way but it was clearly open to debate and so cannot really be considered an absurd decision. That she nearly won the first set and did win the second set shows that the decision was at the very least reasonable, if possibly wrong.

* I usually refrain from commenting on women's tennis as I don't watch enough of it to consider my opinion worth sharing.

-- Edited by RJA on Sunday 21st of April 2013 11:11:10 PM

murrayman650 · ATP level

15-0

15-15

30-15

30-30

40-30

40-40

adv Robson

40-40

adv Ormaechdea

GSM

6-4 4-6 6-2

Argentina 2-1 GB

PaulM · Tennis legend

Poor, poor third set. But Ormachea deserved it. Was the much better player on the day.

RJA · Hall of fame

murray_2k9 wrote:
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 seriously have to take exception to this. I get that you are frustrated by what happened today but this assertion is out of order. Laura's defeat today was disappointing but as the only person on the team to win a match she cannot possibly be said to have "let the side down".

-- Edited by RJA on Sunday 21st of April 2013 11:16:05 PM

DF · Tennis legend

No matter how much ''team spirit'' and preparation the GB team had enjoyed Ormaechea was the better player on court.

and THAT is what counts.

Hope that Baltacha can show these young players how it's done!

steven · Tennis legend

R4: Elena Baltacha WR 208 (CH 49 in 2010, FC singles 19-8/clay 5-6) v María Irigoyen WR 202 (CH 167 in 2010, FC singles 1-4/clay 1-2)

The last time Irigoyen played singles in a Fed Cup tie was in Japan in 2011 ... and she got double bagelled by Misaki Doi!

Of course, that was on a hard court.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

The press will probably consider Bally's selection inspired or a costly error depending on how this pans out

COME ON BALLY

indiana · Tennis legend

Darn !!

If Laura could have broken there for * 3 - 5 it might have been interesting with Ormaechdea having finishing line problems.

From * 1 - 3 0 - 40, Laura just lost the last 33 points 16 - 17, saved 4 BPs ( but not the 3rd one at 1- 3 ) and 3 MPs, and was that BP away from getting back to * 3 - 5. So after those poor early games in the third set, she certainly didn't just fold on this occasion.

I do think that we are favourites to win individually each of the final two ties ( I thought Laura's was our least likely win of the day, although I thought on balance she would win ). But given Argentina just need to win one of these final two matches, it could very much go either way now.

korriban · Challenger level

Just got home from a day of other sports and saw the last few games of the final set. Can't comment on how Laura played in the first 2 sets but the 9 DFs and 57 UEs overall probably made it a very frustrating watch - from the sound of it, some nice play at times.

Last few games were punctuated with some nice winners, DFs and a large number of wild attempted winners going out by huge margins. What I found almost comical was the commentary saying that the Argentinian was very tight from 4-1 up (and they were right!) and that Laura had to make her play above all else, and yet Laura still kept going for very high tariff winners off return of serve or good depth rally balls, rather than giving her opponent the chance to miss......which seems almost naive. There's no shame in using a Plan B, or digging in and playing safe for a while until your game returns (even Serena does this), but Laura doesn't seem to have any other way of playing, or perhaps just can;t help herself.

This was the result I expected (though obviously hoped otherwise), which is why I always felt we would need to win the #2 vs #2 battle to have any chance. I am VERY surprised to see Bally playing, almost shocked, because if there is a need for a third set, I'd be staggered if she could come through against either Argentinian player who may be picked - simply on fitness alone. But Judy seems to be a sound leader and a good judge, so Bally's fighting spirit may be just what is needed. Hope so.

Fingers and toes crossed. Fingers won't be enough.

DF · Tennis legend

Baltacha atarts with a love game.

indiana · Tennis legend

Probably, Tony, but I reckon Judy couldn't really care a jot about the press, well rather if it comes down on what is no doubt to her ( and certainly for some of us here that have commented with clearly less info ) a very understandable selection, whatever the result.

Ideally, yes you want press support, but in 2 years Judy has shown no signs of not just being pragmatic to try and get the job done ( dropped Bally for Laura vs their no 1 last year in Sweden and brings in Bally this time ). No room for anything else that I can see. I think that earns respect from her players, it does from me.

Sorry, if I repeat myself, but I do think we have good captans in Leon and Judy.