Davis Cup 2014 - World Group Round 1 - 31 Jan-2 Feb - USA v GB

spud · Challenger qualifying

RE: Davis Cup 2014 - World Group Round 1 - 31 Jan-2 Feb - USA v GB

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

BBC reporting the Wardy has got the nod over Kyle as the second singles player.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Here is the BBC report

www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/25957604

It also states the John Isner has been replaced by Donald Young because of injury.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

metro.co.uk/2014/01/30/is-this-the-scruffiest-team-in-sport-4284163/

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Julia Carrot wrote:
metro.co.uk/2014/01/30/is-this-the-scruffiest-team-in-sport-4284163/

Yes. Disgraceful I thought. I mean, you would think Andy would at least put the right coloured shoes on wink

paulisi · Tennis legend

My only concern is whether James is fully fit. I would have gone for the experience in the first match, especially with no Isner and if James struggles we still have the option to bring in Kyle.

Tennis36 · Masters Series Champion

hmm, would of been slightly excited had Edmund been given a chance against young that an upset could happen. sadly james doesn't fill me with any such confidence, hope to be proven wrong

-- Edited by Tennis36 on Thursday 30th of January 2014 08:19:39 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

paulisi wrote:
My only concern is whether James is fully fit. I would have gone for the experience in the first match, especially with no Isner and if James struggles we still have the option to bring in Kyle.

I am sure James is fully fit. I can't believe that Leon would have selected this team if there was any doubt.

For me, I didn't really fancy the chances of either James or Kyle against Isner or Querrey, but would have picked James as he has more experience dealing with the pace of hitting. Kyle struggled against the power of Janowicz at Wimbledon (on grass, I know).

However, against Young, I think Kyle's clay court form would make him more likely to spring a surprise.

Having said that, I back Leon to make the right call. So let's just get right behind the team and cheer them into the QF.

Speculation over. Time for the action to begin.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Tie is much more winnable with Young in. Querry is not an unrealistic upset but like others I'd have felt an upset was more likely with Kyle. But I trust Leon's judgment.

But I guess we know Andy is playing just singles! Have Colin and Dom ever played together?

Jan · Hall of fame

I don't think it means Andy definitely isn't going to play doubles - it just gives Leon the option of not playing him in the doubles if necessary.

savva0122 · Intermediate Club Player

Think it's the right team- I think wardy has a chance against querry and young. Will probably boil down to the dubs, again fighting chance. With isner out I would say 40:60 against but pumped for tomorrow!

Spectator · All-time great

No, I don't think they have. In recent years Inglot has played some with Marray, but not with any of the other top GB players. But both are coached by Louis Cayer. Look like good choices that give the most possible valid combinations.

Somewhat staggered, by the way, to read that the court cost $750,000. That's a lot of money to spend for the privilege of trying to slow down Mr Murray. They obviously take their Davis Cup seriously.

-- Edited by Spectator on Thursday 30th of January 2014 08:33:17 PM

-- Edited by Spectator on Thursday 30th of January 2014 08:57:43 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Oh dear :) As some of us have suggested, the USA's choice of clay seemed too fixated on hindering Andy as opposed to giving themselves the best chance of winning the tie overall ( assuming Andy played ).

Now it could really haunt them. Isner is pretty decent on clay, and would have had a reasonable chance against Andy. But now he is out, and Querrey is certainly no clay lover nor apparently Young. I think it gives James more chance of a win than on hard ( probably more chance against both of them ).

Re the team selection, no secret that I preferred James over Kyle, and while I would agree that it was a little less clearcut with Isner out, I still feel from this distance that it is the right selection.

I expect Andy to play in the doubles. But it gives the team a very reasonable doubles option if after Day 1 it is thought better that Andy misses the doubles ( for instance if we are 2-0 up ! )

Going to very interesting..

steven · Tennis legend

PaulM wrote:
Tie is much more winnable with Young in. Querry is not an unrealistic upset but like others I'd have felt an upset was more likely with Kyle. But I trust Leon's judgment.

But I guess we know Andy is playing just singles! Have Colin and Dom ever played together?

No they haven't, though I'm sure they've practised together plenty of times this week.

Interesting that Leon has decided that retaining the option to give Andy a day off is more important than retaining the option to swap Kyle in for the 5th rubber. That's probably sensible except that the chances of Andy being able to resist playing in the doubles once his competitive juices are running are probably close to zero LOL

steven · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
No, I don't think they have. In recent years Inglot has played some with Marray, but not with any of the other top GB players. But both are coached by Louis Cayer. Look like good choices that give the most possible valid combinations.
Somewhat staggered, by the way, to read that the court cost $750,000. That's a lot of money to spend for the privilege of trying to slow down Mr Murray. They obviously take their Davis Cup seriously.

Impressive as the venue looks, looking at the time lapse video of the court being built really brought home what an awful waste of resources it is to create a court like that just for a single weekend.