Davis Cup 2016 World Group Semi Final - GB v Argentina - 16th to 18th September

wolf · Tennis legend

Davis Cup 2016 World Group Semi Final - GB v Argentina - 16th to 18th September

murrayman650 · ATP level

Well that couldn't have gone worse , at least Murray can say that he was beaten by the better man.

-- Edited by murrayman650 on Friday 16th of September 2016 09:07:48 PM

bookerman · Social player

Hate to say it but that was pretty rubbish from Kyle, Dan to come in for the last rubber if goes that far.

Also with Andy turning 30 next year, he steps a side and leave the Davis cup for good, he done more than his fair share. Time for him to selfish and to concentrate on the last few slam winning years of his career.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

So many unforced errors, Edmund nervous play and trying to finish the rally but missing the killer shot. Lacked some patience tonight, not sure where his recent self assurance went after the first period. It looked to me like the last encounter was still quite fresh in his mind.

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

bookerman wrote:
Also with Andy turning 30 next year, he steps a side and leave the Davis cup for good, he done more than his fair share. Time for him to selfish and to concentrate on the last few slam winning years of his career.

I would strongly agree with this with maybe the caveat that if GB have a play off to stay in the World Group and are maybe down Dan or Kyle due to injury then he could step in. I doubt he will drop Davis Cup as he is so passionate about playing for his country but I do think he has played too much this summer and really needs a lighter schedule next year. In terms of Andy's personal success, I am almost relieved he won't have to play the final as there is now a good chance he will go all out at the Tour Finals rather than just show up and go through the motions to avoid being penalized as he did last year.

-- Edited by theemptyvessel on Friday 16th of September 2016 09:31:59 PM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Really, I didn't think Muzzah had his A-game on today. He looked gutted in his interview when they mentioned his Granddad dying, so I wonder how much that took an emotional toll.

I'm not one for making excuses for Andy, or other players for that matter, but a fairly close family member is counted as a reason, not an excuse.

RJA · Hall of fame

All in all that was a pretty poor performance from Kyle although credit to Pella for playing at a level above what I expected of him on this surface. I get the feeling that the pressure of being 1-0 down, the pressure of wanting to justify his selection, his first home tie in the Davis Cup all added up to Kyle being a bit too nervy and as Pella put ball after ball back into court Kyle ended up going for more and more and all too often missing. In retrospect it certainly looks like he was the wrong pick and that Evo would have been more suited to taking Pella out of his comfort zone by mixing things up but it is easy to be wise after the event and I certainly don't hold the decision against Leon.

You have to wonder if Andy will now be willing to put himself through playing the doubles and the reverse singles when it is likely to be for nought.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Clearly Kyle was far from his best today, but I think a lot of credit has to go to Pella. It was not a good match up for Kyle and Pella played very well. I agree that Evo might have been a better match up, but how many of us here were convinced that Delbonis was going to be their Nº1.

It's going to be almost impossible from here, but so it was against Russia at the Ricoh all those years ago. There is always hope.

Spectator · All-time great

Andy Murray looked absolutely exhausted; one has to feel for him. I wish he could get a good rest - and that he weren't doing the exhibition next week. In the second match, I saw the end of the first set, where I thought Kyle Edmund played some fine tennis, and then the odd bit here and there - but on the basis of that limited sample, I can see why it's a bad match-up for him. As RJA says, Pella was not at all overawed by the power, and it felt as if Mr Edmund didn't have a response to that.

It would certainly be a surprise if GB won now, but nothing is impossible.

davidn · Junior player

Tough day, hindsight is easy of course but looking at the Pella game you have to say that he was outstanding and deserved to win. Has to be Dan for reverse singles surely, such a tricky decision before the match since both played so well in US Open.

in retrospect Dan's performance against Stan W was sensational

Robin · Lower Club Player

According to BBC website "Dan Ward" is ready to step up and play doubles!

"Captain Leon Smith said Dan Ward was ready to step in to the doubles if Andy Murray, who has the reverse singles against Pella on Sunday, is rested."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/37391138

-- Edited by Robin on Saturday 17th of September 2016 04:46:56 AM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

It's abit academic in my mind now. I can't see Delpo losing the fifth rubber.

thejester · Satellite level

Also in that BBC article Leon confirmed that Dan (now Evans again, not Ward!) has been doing the most doubles practice this week.
Still very tough to see either of our No.2's taking down JMDP in a fifth though even if we can pull it back to 2-2

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Andy will play doubles. I am convinced of that.

Confirmed. Andy will play doubles.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

More surprisingly for me DelPo is playing for Argentina. I thought they would rest him, being 2-0 up. Let's hope that if (or should I say when) it gets to a final rubber, DelPo is out on his feet and Evo can work his magic.