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

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

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

Spaced · Lower Club Player

You'd think after today's result the decision will be fairly straightforward. I like James, but I just can't see how he can play considering the run he's on.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

I can, he's a different playing when playing for Queen and country.

savva0122 · Intermediate Club Player

The last thing James needs is putting in that cauldron and suffering two more heavy defeats (I would actually put his chance of success at zero) - 10 consecutive defeats and some pretty bad ones too
Kyles form is better so he'd at least have a chance of scoring a win.

joe · Improver

if Leon let kyle Edmund play we are definitely going to lose the whole game.

Spectator · All-time great

It's a difficult position, isn't it. We have a 1st singles who can be counted on fairly reliably to beat anyone other than Djokovic or Federer (not saying others can't beat him, but it would be an upset). We have enough great doubles players that we should be able to beat any doubles pairing that a country can send at us (especially if they make the mistake, as the French did, of going for lots of singles players instead of a solid doubles pairing ... nice idea to keep Gasquet fresh for the 5th ... but it only works if you get there). But, let us be honest, technically speaking, neither of our 2nd singles players "should" at this point beat any of the other WG 2nd singles players. The reason that we're in the SFs is that Mr Ward has. Repeatedly. Makes it rather difficult to plan.

indiana · Tennis legend

joe wrote:

if Leon let kyle Edmund play we are definitely going to lose the whole game.

An arguable slight problem with the Davis Cup is it can not really matter who your second singles player is. If you have a very strong top singles player and doubles team that can be all you need. And may very well ( indeed probably is ) all that is needed vs Australia.

Kyle or James don't fundamentally effect the winning 3 points that Andy and the doubles team can get, so unless Kyle is some sinister Aussie agent sent in to injure Andy or something ...

As it happens, I would pick Kyle, and he could win a match if required, even moreso after witnessing a bit of James' shambolic latest performance ( I had been a bit more open ). It would need a quite remarkable Davis Cup turnaround, back with Leon and co, to get him back in a position to play in Glasgow.

By the way, all the best to James. I worry about his schedule and form, but he is a talented player, who has progressed very well over the years with limited support, and I see no need for fancy nicknames.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 9th of September 2015 06:42:36 AM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I'd be very interested to know what James' view is.

Obviously we'll never know (I assume).

But I also assume that Leon has definitely talked to him (and indeed Kyle). And will be somewhat influenced by James' own, honest assessment of his form and his chances. And indeed Kyle's assessment of his own form and chances too.

Spectator · All-time great

The thing that makes this a bit more uncertain than it otherwise might be is that this is Lleyton Hewitt's last chance to win the DC. At a guess, the Aussie team is going to give everything they have and then some to make it happen. The GB team will want it - they've come through a very tough draw and have a fabulous chance, given that neither Argentina nor Belgium is as fearsome an opponent as some. But I wouldn't be surprised to see some Aussie performances that were quite spectacular.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Coup Droit wrote:
I'd be very interested to know what James' view is.

Obviously we'll never know (I assume).

But I also assume that Leon has definitely talked to him (and indeed Kyle). And will be somewhat influenced by James' own, honest assessment of his form and his chances. And indeed Kyle's assessment of his own form and chances too.

Good point CD. I sometimes forget that we are merely fans with snippets of information, and Leon appears to be a good bloke. Wardy is mates with Andy, so of course views will have been taken in to account.

indiana · Tennis legend

This is reminding me a bit of when a pretty out of form Jamie Baker was initially selected, Leon observed him in practice and Evo seemingly from nowhere came into the team.

I'm not yet suggesting Evo plays ( as I say Kyle looks the best bet to me just now ), but Evo should be in Glasgow, assuming all goes pretty well for him this week. Whether it is planned that he be, I know not.

If anything happens to Kyle and James isn't transformed by being back in the Davis Cup environment, there's your man.

Vandenburg · Futures level

I agree with so many points. James Ward is a different beast in davis cup, and you have to consider that, but his recent form i'm sorry has made in unselectable. He needs to regroup for next season. I'd go with Edmund, and failing that Evo.

On the brightside, Murray will be nice and rested and ready to take on Australia.

I really hope Bedene can get all the appeals and document sorted, he would be such a solid second singles player.

nicofrance · Strong Club Player

I don't see any way that James Ward can be picked for the Davis Cup, his form has been absolutely dismal and you can't keep living off past glories. Its time to give Kyle Edmund a chance who has more scope IMO to deliver a singles win.

In James Ward case its not just his losing run but some of the players he's lost to. The final straw was his abject display this week against a player ranked 400 in the world.

thejester · Satellite level

In my opinion, I could see James pull something out of the bag in DC and get a win BUT I don't think it would be the best thing FOR HIM to play in this tie. I think he needs a few weeks off to really take scope, take some time out and refresh himself ready to go again. His ranking will continue to fall with more points coming off this week and I think he needs something of a fresh start. To my mind, we should be going with Kyle and (as mentioned) having Evo in Glasgow ready to step up if anything happens to Kyle, who's had a few niggles recently. By all means have Wardy around, we wouldn't be here without him, but I don't think that pressure cooker environment is going to do any good for a man on a 10-match losing streak.

On another note, I honestly think James can rise again. He just needs time out to assess what's gone wrong this year.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

OK. I am going out on a limb here and I am going to say that I would pick Daniel Evans in 2nd singles spot. Here is why.

James Ward - If we go on to win the DC this year, Wardy can proudly and correctly say that he has been played a major part in that success over an extended period, but right now his form does not justify him playing despite that fact that we all know he can be a different animal in DC. More importantly than form and despite everything he says publicly, his confidence must be rock bottom at the moment and even the team environment wouldn't be sufficient IMO to overcome this in such a short period.

Kyle Edmund - It is well known that I am one of the biggest Kyle fans around and there is no doubt that Kyle will have a big part to play in DC teams over the next 10 years. It is always said that the path to the top is never a straight line, but over the last few years, Kyle seems to have been the exception that proves the rule. His relentless march up the rankings has been everything we have expected, and has been based on very solid, consistent performances week in week out. But there is one thing missing IMO from his CV so far and that is the ability to spring a surprise result against a really top player. Granted, he hasn't had many opportunities and has on occasions come very close - Gilles Simon and Benneteau spring to mind. But he is yet to record a "stand-out" victory. It will be very harsh on Kyle if he isn't chosen as he absolutely deserves his opportunity. But the final reason I wouldn't pick him this time is that this would be a massive occasion for any player to make their debut. Nerves would play a big factor.

Evo - He is beginning to show the sort of form we all saw in 2013. I haven't looked in any detail at the stats but I would imagine that if rankings were based on the last 3-4 months, Evo would probably be between 150-200 range (there's a challenge for the stat hounds) so he is not far behind the others on recent form. But here are 3 other reasons why I would go with Evo.

1) He is someone who would be inspired by the occasion and not afraid of it. We all know his love of playing the big occasions.
2) He has been there and done it in a fifth rubber. There will be no "debutant" nerves to worry about.
3) Kyrgios has been replaced by Tomic. What better motivation for Evo than to put one over him again. I think he would have the psychological edge.

Personally, I think Kyle will be chosen. But as we know, Leon is a pragmatist and not afraid to make the big decision. So maybe, just maybe, Evo will make a last minute appearance.