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

DF · Tennis legend

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

korriban · Challenger level

As I previously said, there is no point picking James because he has zero chance of winning either rubber!!!!!!

I applied for the job of DC captain recently, but got knocked back!

well done James. watched every ball from set 3 and thought his fightback was outstanding. Sam Querrey's face from the middle of set 4 was extraordinary - like a lost sheep straring into spce on the brink of tears. biggrin

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

^^ What a wonderful image!

I was watching intermittently on the upstairs tv (having to break off to get the other half into bed) and saw the fourth set win then had to go to bed myself. I confess, I didn't have much faith that James would actually pull it off - Querrey being a step above Tursunov. Mea culpa. I'm so delighted I was wrong.

As for the doubles, Leon will have seen how BBD and Colin play together during the week, and I trust him to make the right choice.

Edit - the US crowd were pathetic. It didn't sound anything like a DC match, so muted. They didn't give their players any help at all - thank goodness.

-- Edited by Madeline on Saturday 1st of February 2014 09:14:33 AM

freerider · Futures level

Massive well done to Dino. (and Andy of course!)

thoroughly enjoyed watching that last night. Ward played some ridiculously good tennis at times, but at other times looked like a futures player. At the end though with a little bit of help from a Querry choke got the win so who cares.

Hopefully he can use this as a platform to really push up the rankings. (the 40 points here will definitely help!)
Any ideas what his schedule is going to be after this?

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

freerider wrote:
Massive well done to Dino. (and Andy of course!)

thoroughly enjoyed watching that last night. Ward played some ridiculously good tennis at times, but at other times looked like a futures player. At the end though with a little bit of help from a Querry choke got the win so who cares.

Hopefully he can use this as a platform to really push up the rankings. (the 40 points here will definitely help!)
Any ideas what his schedule is going to be after this?

If he's got any sense, he will play DC every week for the rest of the season. It clearly brings the best out of him smile

PaulM · Tennis legend

Brilliant from James. Querry is a mess isn't he (that tiebreak was embarrassing for a player of his ranking). James hung in, waited for his opportunities and capitalised. Excellent result for a great guy.

Tie is won now I guess???!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Just to state the obvious, WOW and double WOW.

Went to bed at 2-2 - convinced that I'd be up another hour and end up going to bed in tears (metaphorically, maybe literally).

Well, wrong and wronger . . .

Just brilliant.

And for anyone who did like me, BBCi-player obviously has it and you can sit and watch the fifth set, just smiling all the way through.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Just to state the obvious, WOW and double WOW.

Went to bed at 2-2 - convinced that I'd be up another hour and end up going to bed in tears (metaphorically, maybe literally).

Well, wrong and wronger . . .

Just brilliant.

And for anyone who did like me, BBCi-player obviously has it and you can sit and watch the fifth set, just smiling all the way through.

If you haven't watched it yet, you are in for a treat. James started to really go for his shots they were (almost) all coming off. He really gave Querrey a lesson in that last set.

TMH · Futures qualifying

Would like to apologise for my comments last week about James having no chance against either. He's gone and stuffed that right back in my face now. biggrin

That'll teach me to doubt him. Stunning comeback. Again.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Maybe what James needs all year round is a coach on court with him!

Armchair · County player

Thanks for the reminders about iPlayer. I'm just settling down to watch the final set.
I think I may have just rested my eyes for a moment there last night.

Great Win !

steven · Tennis legend

There are interviews with Andy, James and Leon on the Davis Cup site at the end of http://bit.ly/1bgsNXF

Leon reveals Wardy had a Murray-style "mirror moment" wink and also appears to say that Andy will play the doubles unless he doesn't feel that good when he wakes up this morning.

Edit: link corrected (there was a character missing)

-- Edited by steven on Saturday 1st of February 2014 02:54:03 PM

Spectator · All-time great

ASAP interview with Mr Ward and Mr Smith here: www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php

(Steven, I can't get the bit.ly link to work)

RJA · Hall of fame

korriban wrote:
Sam Querrey's face from the middle of set 4 was extraordinary - like a lost sheep straring into spce on the brink of tears.

That's typical Querrey. He is a good player but has no stomach for the fight. He went from not facing a break point to being broken 5 times in a row which for a player who was recently top 20 is beyond pathetic.

The reason why Ward was my pick to play this tie ahead of Edmund is that he has proven in the past that he can tough it out in 5 set encounters and that was why I thought he had a chance against Querrey in what was expected to be the 5th rubber.

RJA · Hall of fame

I found this interesting comment about Wardy on a lowbrow tennis forum

But i can't believe it is this men i see in challenger , in challenger he really looks to have no game , and very bad altitude ... looks totally desinterested and doesn't fight

But in davis cup he is so good !