Davis Cup 2016 World Group Quarter Final - Serbia v GB - 15th to 17th July

wolf · Tennis legend

Davis Cup 2016 World Group Quarter Final - Serbia v GB - 15th to 17th July

RJA · Hall of fame

wolf wrote:
I'm going to heavily disagree with some posters and say we are definite second favourites without Andy. Surely our second singles player is odds against to pick up a rubber and it would be tough ask for Kyle to win both his singles and even then they have an experienced doubles player in Zimonjic.

I agree, with out Andy this is a very tough tie. While I hold Kyle in very high regard he has played only one Davis Cup match, where he suffered a painful defeat, and there really is no way of knowing how he will respond to what is likely to be a hostile crowd in Belgrade.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I agree but an opportunity for the rest of the boys to step up, I would love to see Andy play but, it is a team competition, its annual i.e. we can have another crack next year and the Olympics and US open carry more weight this year. To be competitive if Novak is resting Andy needs to do what's right for him, which in his present mood may be playing? However maybe not.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Tuesday 12th of July 2016 03:42:53 AM

JonH · All-time great

Hi - I know this may sound far fetched but what if Gb picked Andy, Kyle, Jamie and Dom, but then playe Kyle and (stick with me) Dom or Jamie on day 1. Kyle would then play first singles against the Serbian number two and hopefully win and we would go in 1-1 after day 1. Jamie and Dom would then stand a good chance of winning doubles

On final day a possibly refreshed Andy (two days extra rest and practice on clay) would step in as number two singles with kyle remaining number one, and we should win one of those final day rubbers. Or if we were 2-1 down at that stage, stand a chance of still winning 3-2.

Probably a flight of fancy but tactically it might work.

-- Edited by JonH on Tuesday 12th of July 2016 06:16:17 AM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

I think it would be bad for Andy for him to play. Moving from grass to clay to hard isn't the brightest idea with the Olympics and USO to come. I'd hate to see him injured or have him have less chance to win these tournies just because of DC. I don't see how he can go and not play though. If I'm near my team and a match, I'd be chomping at the bit to get on court.

paulisi · Tennis legend

We must stand a decent chance especially as Serbia are without their two highest ranked players.

The question must be whether Kyle can come through two long matches on clay. I assume James would play the other match and would have a decent chance, at his best, of beating their number 2

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

I am coming around to the idea of putting it in Kyle's hands. As good as Zimonjic is I still feel a team of Dom and Jamie would start as strong favourites for the doubles and so we would only need 2 points from the singles. Andy will not be around forever and it may be the case that Kyle will embrace the challenge of being number one and leading the team. Worst case scenario is we are still in the world group next year. Andy has to focus on getting ready for hard courts and Rio and the USO, he has more than done his duty in Davis Cup with that win over Kei in March.

wolf · Tennis legend

paulisi wrote:
We must stand a decent chance especially as Serbia are without their two highest ranked players.

The question must be whether Kyle can come through two long matches on clay. I assume James would play the other match and would have a decent chance, at his best, of beating their number 2

I would guess Tipsarevic will be playing the 5th rubber if needed, who near his best is a cut above James really.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

I think you've nailed it JonH..

Kyle plays two singles and Jamie&Dom play doubles. Andy held in reserve for 5th rubber. Then Jamie plays the opening days singles but it's 4 good chances out of 5 to take a points.

Alternative strategy is to switch Dom for Wardy but then Andy must play doubles and could potentially play the day after which is precisely what he needs to avoid.

Both these options offer GB a great chance of winning, evens would be to play without Andy in my opinion. With a home tie for the semi finals on offer, it's a great chance for GB..

wimdledont · Challenger level

I don't really see the issue with Andy playing. By Friday, he'll have played only 2 3set singles matches within the preceeding week. So there's no physical issue at all.

If he played both singles rubbers, or perhaps only one, he will win easily. Jamie+Dom should also walk the doubles. The tie is then guaranteed, and, if Kyle wins, Andy need only play 3 sets, five days after his last 3 set match, with a long interval until his first Olympics match.

I wasn't aware of him having any aches and pains to complain of towards the end of Wimbedon; and while I'd understand hiim wanting to spend a bit more time with the family, if he's going to be in Belgrade, he'd be in agony watching the Davis Cup potentially slipping out of his hands, while he's marooned on the sidelines, with the Nole ultra fanclub jeering at his back.

If he's going to Belgrade, he's much better off playing.

RJA · Hall of fame

I don't think that we can seriously put Jamie or Dom up on day 1. It is one thing to play a weaker player but playing an out and out doubles specialist really isn't on. Sure it is within the rules but such antics are rightly frowned upon, especially in a world group quarter final. People pay good money to watch events like this and they deserve to watch two competitive matches.

indiana · Tennis legend

wimdledont wrote:
I don't really see the issue with Andy playing. By Friday, he'll have played only 2 3set singles matches within the preceeding week. So there's no physical issue at all.

If he played both singles rubbers, or perhaps only one, he will win easily. Jamie+Dom should also walk the doubles. The tie is then guaranteed, and, if Kyle wins, Andy need only play 3 sets, five days after his last 3 set match, with a long interval until his first Olympics match

I wasn't aware of him having any aches and pains to complain of towards the end of Wimbedon; and while I'd understand hiim wanting to spend a bit more time with the family, if he's going to be in Belgrade, he'd be in agony watching the Davis Cup potentially slipping out of his hands, while he's marooned on the sidelines, with the Nole ultra fanclub jeering at his back.

If he's going to Belgrade, he's much better off playing.

Before the Olympics, and just over a week after the Davis Cup tie, Andy will have the Toronto Masters from 25th July and having moved from grass to clay to then prepare for that on hard.

Perhaps an early indication will be how seriously, if at all, Andy prepares on clay over the next few days.

JonH · All-time great

Im sure my flight of fancy won't happen, RJA, but I also think tactically it would get us a result. But like Indiana, I think the indicator will be if Andy has practiced at all on clay. From what I could tell from the press, Monday was taken up with press duties and hangover recovery, presumably yesterday he just spent time at home and one would imagine today or tomorrow will fly over to Serbia. Hence my thought on him playing Sunday only ( I have a feeling djokovic did similar in a recent tie for Serbia?) as it's probsbly the only way of him being prepared for the Red stuff.

Whatever happens, it will be fascinating as Davis cup usually is!

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Edmund and Ward to play singles in Serbia

Davis Cup: Serbia v GB

Russell Fuller, BBC Tennis Correspondent

Kyle Edmund and James Ward are set to play singles for Great Britain in this week's Davis Cup quarter-final against Serbia.

Andy Murray has indicated he will only travel to Belgrade as a spectator, and BBC Sport understands Dan Evans will not play because of a shoulder problem.

Edmund is 67 in the world rankings, but Ward had fallen to number 240.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

Well Kyle should do well, I'm really hoping he comes of age against Serbia.. And Wardy will be slippery for Serbia and Lajovic. Just hoping Tipsarevic is not favoured on day1 he could be dangerous for both our singles. I think if Andy is out this is almost impossible to call with any certainty, luv it..
Dam shame Evo is not fit.