Davis Cup 2015 - World Group Semi-Final - 18th-20th September

Jaffa · Challenger level

RE: Davis Cup 2015 - World Group Semi-Final - 18th-20th September

Etienne · Club Coach

I think they are going to be stuck a little bit with wanting to show loyalty and picking their best team. I don't think Ward or Inglot deserve a place on current form, but captains hate to change a winning team, and both Ward and Inglot have been excellent team players.

(and hello everyone, been lurking for a couple of weeks before dipping my toe in)

GBJ · Club Coach

Yeah, he clearly has to do something pretty impressive between now and then to have a shout. All he has done so far is shown consistency and commitment at mostly lower levels - then again that was always the bit he struggled most with!

I forgot about the whole thing of the team only being 4 players. I guess that makes it less likely. My concerns with Kyle are that while he is great at beating players ranked at his ranking or lower he has never really looked too much like beating top 50 players as much as Ward and Evo have (except that one match against Simon and Eastbourne a couple of years ago where he reached a couple of tiebreaks). He seems that little bit less the kind of guy to get inspired in a big match. I guess he's a little unproven on that front through lack of opportunity but Evo and Ward are proven as the kind of guys likely to bring out their best in a big Davis Cup match.

GBJ · Club Coach

Welcome Etienne, me too!

GBJ · Club Coach

At the same time as all that I just said I know that I'm also just biassed because I prefer watching Dan to Kyle and I hope (if I can switch my work shifts and get tickets) to go watch on the Sunday; so as a bit of dreamer I'm 'investing' (wasting) the start of my day off dreaming up my ideal scenarios for watching the tie.

My favourite so far though unlikely given it would require 3 singles picks:
Day 1:
Andy win: 1-0
Then
Ward very long final set loss to Kyrios making him too tired for the next singles: 1-1
Day 2:
something similar to Ward's loss in the doubles then: 1-2
Day 3: (with me actually there to watch with family):
Andy beats Kyrgios in 4: 2-2
Then
Evo steps in a beats Hewitt (who nearly makes a classic Hewitt come-back but actually looses to a dramatic final set comeback from Evo). 3-2; Place in the final and Evo finally getting the public attention that his talent deserves.

Anyone else find themselves dreaming up stuff like this or is it just me?
(I'm not saying it is fair OR likely btw).

Robin · Lower Club Player

Can't see Dan getting a look in for DC unless something extraordinary happens, just enjoying seeing him getting back on track.

I would go with Kyle unless James gets a win soon.

thejester · Satellite level

I would be very surprised to see Dan in the squad vs AUS. That's not to say his Davis Cup career is over, but as has been mooted above, I don't think Dan is back in a place just yet where he could be seen as a credible alternative to James or Kyle for this tie. The big question for me is whether loyalty prevails over form, in terms of whether Kyle or James are selected (if not both given Dom Inglot's current struggles as he continues his return from injury)

It's great to see Dan back competing in challengers and if he can continue to rack up points with nothing to defend, and there's no reason he can't put himself in contention for the DC towards the latter part of next year. But for now I'll just enjoy seeing how he does during this swing

So what are everyone's predictions for the tie v Australia? IN terms of squads, match-ups and (most importantly) the outcome?

indiana · Tennis legend

Etienne wrote:
I think they are going to be stuck a little bit with wanting to show loyalty and picking their best team. I don't think Ward or Inglot deserve a place on current form, but captains hate to change a winning team, and both Ward and Inglot have been excellent team players.
(and hello everyone, been lurking for a couple of weeks before dipping my toe in)

Welcome, Etienne.

Captains / managers / coaches of course vary to some extent in attitudes to such as loyalty. I see Leon Smith as pretty pragmatic. Loyalty for the past, fair enough if it is a means to an end, and one can say expect a player to be inspired again. In this case it's the Davis Cup semi final, so to me with Leon it will pretty much be one overall focus, what's the best selection to beat Australia.

Leon can be fairly ruthless. Remember early doors ( vs Russia ? ) Jamie Baker being initially picked, though not in the greatest of form, came back across the US, practiced, Leon observed and from seemingly out the blue Evo replaced him. Some here moaned about the treatment of Jamie, I was like "hello" and pretty impressed even before it worked out so well.

In this instance I cannot see Evo playing, simply because there is not the evidence as yet that Evo is back to the necessary form, in particular the man to win a potentially crucial fifth rubber.

As of now, I'm with cwej in 4 from Andy, James, Kyle, Jamie and Dom. Now this depends hugely on how Andy emerges from the US Open, and it can of course be dummied / changed pretty late, but I'd be thinking go without Dom and have the singles better covered, though with the onus that then pretty irreversibly places on Andy.

Result? Dunblane 3 Australia 1

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 19th of August 2015 04:48:05 PM

scottie1 · Futures level

indiana wrote:
Etienne wrote:
I think they are going to be stuck a little bit with wanting to show loyalty and picking their best team. I don't think Ward or Inglot deserve a place on current form, but captains hate to change a winning team, and both Ward and Inglot have been excellent team players.
(and hello everyone, been lurking for a couple of weeks before dipping my toe in)

Welcome, Etienne.
Captains / managers / coaches of course vary to some extent in attitudes to such as loyalty. I see Leon Smith as pretty pragmatic. Loyalty for the past, fair enough if it is a means to an end, and one can say expect a player to be inspired again In this case it's the Davis Cup semi final, so to me with Leon it will pretty much be one overall focus, what's the best selection to beat Australia.
Leon can be fairly ruthless. Remember early doors ( vs Russia ? ) Jamie Baker being initially picked, though not in the greatest of form, came back across the US, practiced, Leon observed and from seemingly out the blue Evo replaced him. Some here moaned about the treatment of Jamie, I was like "hello" and pretty impressed even before it worked out so well.
In this instance I cannot see Evo playing, simply because there is not the evidence as yet that Evo is back to the necessary form, in particular the man to win a potentially crucial fifth rubber.
As of now, I'm with cwej in 4 from Andy, James, Kyle, Jamie and Dom. Now this depends hugely on how Andy emerges from the US Open, and it can of course be dummied / changed pretty late, but I'd be thinking go without Dom and have the singles better covered, though with the onus that then pretty irreversibly places on Andy.
Result? Dunblane 3 Australia 1

-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 18th of August 2015 12:47:48 PM

my team would be Andy Jamie Kyle and Colin Fleming I still think Colins is the best doubles player for GB

paulisi · Tennis legend

It will be all over on Saturday night.

Andy and Kyle will win their singles and Andy and Jamie will win the doubles.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

paulisi wrote:
It will be all over on Saturday night.

Andy and Kyle will win their singles and Andy and Jamie will win the doubles.

Loving your optimism, but if we are 2-0 up on Friday night, I don't see Andy playing doubles. Still think we will win though.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I still have to give the edge to Wardy, even if his performance against Simon wasn't his best, he didn't do too badly the last time they played up at the Emirates. Kyle eventhough he is continuing to progress, has not taken out a top 50 player, and of course his massive inexperience is a factor as well. So for me if Kyle gets a big win in the next month, then you can give him a serious shout, assuming Wardy continues to play poorly.

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Don't think he'll be in the playing squad, but anyone think that they might ask Brydan along to be part of the Brit camp just to stir things up with his Aussie links?

indiana · Tennis legend

Madadman wrote:
Don't think he'll be in the playing squad, but anyone think that they might ask Brydan along to be part of the Brit camp just to stir things up with his Aussie links?

No

savva0122 · Intermediate Club Player

Andy, Kyle, Jamie, Jonny

Leon isn't scared about shaking things up a bit and James is unselectable at the moment - onus on him to get some wins in the US Open the shake things up.
Andy's had such a heavy schedule, so second double player will be interesting, I'd go with Jonny simply as he's won 2 tournaments this year, but either Dom or Colin would be good picks too.

I'd love to see Dan pushing for a place again but agree it's too soon. If can keep his commitment up though he'll definitely be pushing for a place next year.