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

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

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

paulisi · Tennis legend

Reported that Evo has a shoulder problem and a couple of other issues and head is not in right place.

indiana · Tennis legend

Smudge226 wrote:
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.

Clearly not nearly such an issue for clay though, a surface on which Evo barely sets foot let alone wins matches, avoiding so far this year including French Open qualifying.

I think it would have surprised many that he ever appeared to be ahead of both Wards for this tie.

I do hope though that he gets fit and focussed asap for upcoming hard court competition and continues a great year in some style.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

paulisi wrote:
Reported that Evo has a shoulder problem and a couple of other issues and head is not in right place.

Brief comment from Leon in an article in yesterday's Times under the heading, "Murray will make eleventh-hour call on David Cup role":

Britain cannot boast a full bill of health with Evans struggling. "He's not great and the shoulder problems are a lot worse than we first feared," Smith said.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

I understand that the 4 man team is submitted for the draw, 24 hours before the first rubber but does anyone understand how they determine who plays first? I'm guessing this is the whole point of the draw.. If so we'll know who plays 1st and 2nd tomorrow afternoon, right?

1st seeded singles always face off for the 4th rubber don't they so if Andy is named, Leon would have to name him as a doubles player in order to reserve him for a possible 5th rubber, is this correct? it is begining to sound like Dom or Andy and not both.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

BBC and Russell Fuller in Belgrade seem convinced Andy will miss the match, now.

indiana · Tennis legend

Smudge226 wrote:
I understand that the 4 man team is submitted for the draw, 24 hours before the first rubber but does anyone understand how they determine who plays first? I'm guessing this is the whole point of the draw.. If so we'll know who plays 1st and 2nd tomorrow afternoon, right?

1st seeded singles always face off for the 4th rubber don't they so if Andy is named, Leon would have to name him as a doubles player in order to reserve him for a possible 5th rubber, is this correct? it is begining to sound like Dom or Andy and not both.

Yes, the order on the first day is by draw.

As you say it's 1v1 then 2v2 on Sunday. For Andy to be an option to play on any day then he has to be in the four man team ( which needs to be settled before the draw, not exactly sure when ). Where he played would depend on who from Friday was playing again, but assuming that was Kyle, Kyle would play the 1v1 match and Andy would be quite a good fill in ( ) for the 2v2 ( which, of course, also fits what would be the hope that it would be all over after match 4 ).

Splitting hairs a bit he doesn't have to be named on Friday for the doubles. They can name who they want then from the four men and play someone else on Saturday. But given that has to come from the four, if the team is Kyle, James, Jamie and Andy I think the Serbs might be a tad suspicious if the doubles pair was initially named as say Jamie and James.

I agree with RJA that while a Kyle, Jamie, Dom and Andy team, with Jamie or Dom playing their #1 on Friday, is theoretically posible, we wouldn't go there, not because it's not got some clear possibilities purely from a GB angle ( with an ideal to win 3-1 and not play Andy at all but could if it was 2-2 ), but as he indicates because it would be rather naughty.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 13th of July 2016 10:26:51 PM

emma · Strong Club Player

During the past year when Andy has played in the Davis Cup it has been an almost certainty that he would win, resulting in a team win especially as he has been playing doubles too.

This tie though, is less predictable but perhaps a chance for individuals and the team as a whole to step out of the shadow. Leon is still there as Captain and possibly Andy watching/ supporting. It will be an interesting match.

indiana · Tennis legend

Hopefully this is a tie that goes well for Kyle.

Until now his Davis Cup experiences have been rather bitter sweet. The sweet has been very sweet in being part of a Davis Cup winning team. While late injuries and a rather good player in Goffin have hardly helped I am sure though he wants to lay down his own markers and while the team comes first it would appear we will need success from him this week.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

No pressure then Kedders smile

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I think it's coming at the right time for him, great experience and essentially the team has to grow. Realistically to be so reliant on Andy is not sustainable. Given the circumstances very kind of Serbia to choose clay for the tie!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Oakland2002 wrote:
I think it's coming at the right time for him, great experience and essentially the team has to grow. Realistically to be so reliant on Andy is not sustainable. Given the circumstances very kind of Serbia to choose clay for the tie!

My biggest worry re Kyle here, given his stamina is let's say, a work in progress, is that he will have to play two potential 5 setters in 3 days with temperatures in excess of 40 degrees. Now I know it is the same for everyone, but we also know that as a player, this is not his biggest strength and I am sure others will cope with the conditions better than he does. It would help enormously if he could dish out a straight sets win on the Friday against the Serbian Nº2.

emma · Strong Club Player

I get the feeling Bob that you worry a bit which must be difficult for you at times. It's just negative emotion and usually things work out for the best in the long run :)

As far as Kyle is concerned, he has only played one match so far and maybe he has to realise that even though he's the only one on court (during a singles match that is) he is still part of a team and doesn't have to do everything himself. He has Captain Leon to help him, to soak up the pressure, to guide him. James is very good at letting Leon in so I hope Kyle will too.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Opening Davis Cup rubbers confirmed

Russell Fuller, BBC Tennis Correspondent

Friday's opening rubbers have been confirmed for Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against Serbia in Belgrade.

Kyle Edmund will face Janko Tipsarevic, before James Ward takes on Dusan Lajovic.

Both rubbers are being shown live on BBC2 from 14.45.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

emma wrote:

I get the feeling Bob that you worry a bit which must be difficult for you at times. It's just negative emotion and usually things work out for the best in the long run :)

As far as Kyle is concerned, he has only played one match so far and maybe he has to realise that even though he's the only one on court (during a singles match that is) he is still part of a team and doesn't have to do everything himself. He has Captain Leon to help him, to soak up the pressure, to guide him. James is very good at letting Leon in so I hope Kyle will too.

Actually you will struggle to find anybody more positive than me (I even thought Marcus had a chance against Fed LOL) but I also have a rather laconic sense of humour which confuses a lot of people, particularly online. My "No pressure Kedders" comment was definitely tongue-in-cheek, although I do think the heat will be an issue.

Strangely for DC matches, I think in this case it could be the opening match that could decide the tie. I fancy Kyle to beat Lajovic in the reverse singles and I back us for the doubles. Even my most positive self finds it difficult to see Wardy beating either player on clay (but stranger things have happened - just ask John Isner), so for me Kyle v Tipsy could well be the key rubber.

Kyle has an old head on young shoulders so I don't see there being any problem with him trying to cope with the occasion. And as you have correctly pointed out, having the team around him will also be a massive advantage.

Fingers crossed. Let the games begin.