Davis Cup 2016 World Group Round 1 GB v Japan - 4th-6th March - NIA, Birmingham

Spectator · All-time great

RE: Davis Cup 2016 World Group Round 1 GB v Japan - 4th-6th March - NIA, Birmingham

paulisi · Tennis legend

Kyle has a back problem

Jan · Hall of fame

poor Kyle

wolf · Tennis legend

FRIDAY
Andy Murray v Taro Daniel
Dan Evans v Kei Nishikori

SATURDAY
Dominic Inglot/Jamie Murray v Yoshihito Nishioka/Yasutaka Uchiyama

SUNDAY
Andy Murray v Kei Nishikori
Dan Evans v Taro Daniel

Kounosuke · Intermediate Club Player

Andy and Taro have never played each other, but if that match and the doubles go with the seedings, and the other matches go according to their H2H's, this will be a 5-0 win for us. biggrin

Dan v Kei
H2H: 1-0 - 2013 U.S Open, in straight sets. Everyone here remembers this one, right?

Andy v Kei
H2H: 5-1 - Kei's only win was in the ATP World Tour Finals in 2014, other than that, Andy's won every set they've played against each other.

Dan v Taro
H2H: 2-1 - Taro won in Vancouver 2014, but Dan got his revenge the year after, and also won in Doha qualifying in 2014.

-- Edited by Kounosuke on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 01:48:10 PM

RJA · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
It's been reported on the BBC that he will be available for all ties this year.

Prepared to miss Cincinnati to play.

As a reminder; Andy can withdraw from one mandatory Masters 1000 without attracting any financial penalty or a mandatory zero.

Rustie · Junior player

If I had to guess the line up will be:

Murray v Daniel
Evans v Nishikori

Murray/Murray v Nishioka/Uchiyama

Murray v Nishikori
Evans v Nishioka

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

I really hope Andy does not play doubles this time around. Dom and Jamie should not struggle to win their rubber and we have to prove that we can win one of these ties without relying on Andy to do all of the work. Sooner or later he is going to miss a tie and the other guys need to feel confident they can manage without him.

wolf · Tennis legend

I think it will be interesting to see if Andy or Kei will play in the doubles. Could be a bit of cat and mouse on Saturday morning. I think Kei would fancy playing if it was Jamie/Dom, but if it was Andy/Jamie he might be better off resting for the singles. But if Kei doesn't play, then Andy would probably be better resting as well.

indiana · Tennis legend

theemptyvessel wrote:
I really hope Andy does not play doubles this time around. Dom and Jamie should not struggle to win their rubber and we have to prove that we can win one of these ties without relying on Andy to do all of the work. Sooner or later he is going to miss a tie and the other guys need to feel confident they can manage without him.

For me you select the doubles pair that you feel is most likely to help get the overall win in this tie, ie deal in the here and now and not the hypothetical future. Anyway, Jamie and Dom are not Davis Cup novices so just call on them when we have to or think they are the best pair for the occasion. It's not very clever to try and prove something for the sake of the future and we end up in a relegation play-off partly thanks to the doubles being lost. A tie Andy might miss for many possible reasons is a relegation play-off!

For the here and now, I can see arguments both for and against Andy playing doubles, and as wolf suggests there may be some guesswork re the Japanese pairing.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 04:09:24 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Gutted for Kyle. Buzzing for Evo.

thejester · Satellite level

Bob in Spain wrote:
Gutted for Kyle. Buzzing for Evo.

My thoughts exactly. Real shame for Kyle but he has plenty of times ahead of him and a fantastic moment for Evo in his own backyard is a pretty nice consolation for that

wimdledont · Challenger level

It's on telly.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

First set in the bag for Andy by 6-1.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

The second set follows the first into the bag by 6-3. smile Keep it going, wrap it up in three & conserve your energy, lad! wink