Fed Cup 2015 - Europe/Africa Zone Group I

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: Fed Cup 2015 - Europe/Africa Zone Group I

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

I think there is a good case for dropping Jo and taking Anna Smith instead, potentially, to allow our 1 and 2 to concentrate on singles and then rest, keeping them fresh for the next days matches.

I also think the more difficult decision will be which order to play Heather and Laura in. Obviously even if (and I hope this is the case) Laura is back and at her best or near her best, she may lack match fitness/match practice and I question whether Judy would risk offending Heather by playing her in 2nd.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Hev will have to be the number 1 player, as its based on rankings. I accept your argument for Anna to play, but it does become a risk if either Hev or Laura pick up an injury. Also Hev/Laura do play good doubles together.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I'd agree that it is too much of a risk to pick just two players that regularly play singles, particularly for a week long series of matches.

Anna no longer plays much singles at all ( even if sort of by default she will rise to GB no 8 next week ) and Joss less than that.

I'd go Heather / Laura / AN OTHER singles player / Joss

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

I wouldn't take two doubles players for the reasons mentioned plus I believe our best two doubles players are still Heather and Laura. Our No. 3 & 4 players need to between them be able to cover both singles and doubles when Heather or Laura need a rest.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Teams starting to be announced. Belarus include Vika, but Serbia not sending any of their top players, though their top 2 are still tough.

Aleksandra Krunic (#84)
Ivana Jorovic (#305)
Doroteja Eric (#385)
Vojislava Lukic (#401)

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 5th of January 2015 01:22:15 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Looks as if Laura is probably not going to be ready enough.

In which case : Heather, Jo, Emily and Joss ?

Naomi B and Tara look far off the pace just now. Katy D would for me be a consideration too, but Emily brings experience and a fair amount of doubles ability. Would also be a tremendous reward for her, not that that would be a consideration for me and my pragmatic way with teams, just as selecting Katy 'for the future' wouldn't. Just pick the best 4 for the time.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I think Laura might appear in the team.

Tennis reporters tweeted last night, that Laura would try and start her comeback at the Fed Cup.

There is such a dropoff to our 3rd best singles player that even a 50% ready Laura would be better than that person.

Of course I'm sure a final decision will be made nearer to the time, but Sam last year would have been 1st reserve, eventhough she hadn't played any tournament tennis for a long period.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Announced as Heather, Jo, Joss and Anna.

Hmmm......

I don't think that's strong enough to be promoted from this group. I get that with Heather at singles #1, avoiding the need for her to play doubles is a help, but then Naomi can play decent doubles and indoors she should be a solid(ish, given current miserable form) singles back-up. Anna as singles fall-back isn't an ideal situation.

Well, we'll see. I trust Judy.

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 5th of January 2015 02:04:12 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

Ok that was a red herring, Anna gets the call, does make a bit of sense given Anna can play singles to a reasonable standard.

indiana · Tennis legend

When do they have to finalise the team of four, i.e. when can they not change it as distinct to announce it ?

If that is pretty late, I assume that there will be a travelling reserve if Laura is selected. Maybe will be anyway.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Interesting choice....

No way Laura could be considered for this without any chance for competitive tennis beforehand.

No contingency plan in the singles line-up so a lot will depend on how JoKo performs. I expect Anna and Joss to be our doubles team for ties that are 2-0 with Heather playing any deciding doubles rubbers.

The courts were very slow last year, which could be a reason Naomi didn't get selected.

-- Edited by tony_orient on Monday 5th of January 2015 02:07:58 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

I disagree Tony, Sam was there last year, and hadn't played for 4 months, if Laura was confident with her wrist I would have still picked her.

I also disagree on the doubles front, Joss and Hev weren't great last year, so for me Anna and Joss to play together for the important rubbers, assuming they're playing to the level of last year.

indiana · Tennis legend

Hmm, debatable, once you take Laura out of the equation.

I think there is an argument for my Emily suggestion as against Anna. But I can see the alternative argument that our third 'singles' player would likely struggle whoever it was. So in a position of relative weakness, just go for our best two singles players and most successful current doubles pair, and hope all stays well with Heather and Jo. Anna, get practicing your singles just in case !

Possibly the way to go. As I have said essentially, especially when Heather and Laura are there, I prefer a third genuine singles player for a week long series. But with Jo being a less accomplished doubles player and the lack of a strong third singles player, I think I am coming round.

indiana · Tennis legend

I don't think that Sam can necessarily be used as a precedent for Laura. Different people, different circumstances. And maybe some folk would have had real doubts re Sam too.

And while I don't recall her particular details or how ready she was, clearly she had been out for much less time than Laura.