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

thejester · Satellite level

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

RJA · Hall of fame

Actually this isn't a particularly quick indoor hard court at all.

Why it isn't is a very good question because logically we should have been playing on a court as quick as the regulations would allow.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

They said that the CPR 'speed' rating of this court is about 40. Which puts it in the Medium-Fast category.

Whereas the previous one in Glasgow was about 35.

So it's supposed to be quite quick.

But John Lloyd claims it's not 'playing' that quick .... begs a few questions though....

indiana · Tennis legend

It's certainly visibly a fair bit quicker than seen on occasions before in Glasgow. But as RJA indicates there's arguments for as fast as possible although one could argue that wouldn't be ideal for Kyle.

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 18th of September 2016 04:06:44 PM

scottie1 · Futures level

Evo looks devoid of ideas in this march slipping away

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Well that's that then. To be fair, I thought Pella (v Kyle) and Mayer (v Evo) both played superbly and on that basis, Argentina deserved their victory. No disgrace in losing and we put up a valiant defense of the title. At least the players will get an extra week for their off season. Not much consolation, I know, but at the end of another long season, that may not be a bad thing.

thejester · Satellite level

After the 1st set, where Dan looked the better player, Mayer looked and played like a man possessed. The weight of shot and power he displayed really were first class and Evo certainly did look to have no way to counter it. Perhaps if Dan and Kyle's roles had been reversed, it would have been different, but Argentina definitely deserved their win and I'm sure if they go on to win it there'll be more than a fair share of us that are happy for them, and especially Delpo, who is looking pretty darn good again these days.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Agreed Bob, they were the better players on the day.

A learning curve for our team I guess. Apart from Jamie in the dubs and Andy today, I didn't feel any of our players brought their A games enough at critical points. On the bright side, Andy can concentrate on the WTF, and we won't have mixed feelings on how far he goes.

JonH · All-time great

Mayer played really well today, v impressed and if he can keep injury free surely he could reach the top 32 (again?). Argentina seemed to get it right tactically and just outplayed us over the 3 days.

A final for them v Croatia will be fun to watch from afar, albeit in Croatia one suspects it will be a fast court and in the favour of Croatia who must be favourites - good luck to them both (note edit, I thought final was in Argentina initially!).

GB can look to finish the year off in style on the indoor courts around Europe. Andy, Dan, Kyle and Jamie have all had the years of their careers and shouldnt feel down - much to look forward to despite this loss

-- Edited by JonH on Sunday 18th of September 2016 08:49:00 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, in spite of Kyle and Dan's great progress and recent form, in this match the Argentinians they played were clearly superior on the day, so well done them.

Clearly Friday was a difficult day in many ways for Andy yet he so nearly did get that 3rd win to add to the two wins he was to subsequently contribute to. Unfortunately then when in need neither Kyle or Dan could really step up to recoup that win. No clouding that winning was what mattered here, and we lost, but the experiences should hopefully be some help in the future.

Jimmy09 · Intermediate Club Player

Well we nearly pulled off the remarkable comeback! In hindsight, which i know is going to be easy to say now, i think we would have been better playing Kyle and Evo in the opposite order, i.e Evo on Friday. But as always a terrific effort by the team, the desire to win from all of them is incredible. Lets not forgot we were slumming it a few years ago and now we are expecting semi finals and finals. Im looking forward to next years already!

indiana · Tennis legend

Jimmy09 wrote:
Well we nearly pulled off the remarkable comeback! In hindsight, which i know is going to be easy to say now, i think we would have been better playing Kyle and Evo in the opposite order, i.e Evo on Friday. But as always a terrific effort by the team, the desire to win from all of them is incredible. Lets not forgot we were slumming it a few years ago and now we are expecting semi finals and finals. Im looking forward to next years already!

I don't think even in hindsight the order was an issue. I reckon Leon simply went with his choice as his #2 for the tie for Friday, Sunday was open with I'd guess no plans to switch at that stage. There was no great argument here against the Kyle selection ( there was a little pre selection debate yes, and a close vote which Kyle just won, with those of us that may have personally plumped for Kyle recognising it was a close choice between two in form players ) and Dan playing on Sunday as I say I doubt was an intial Plan A as such though may have been. As matters transpired his selection for Sunday seemed well agreed with and I was happy to see him as the 'finisher'. Also, of course it is a 'blind draw' and Kyle having Pella to play was a bit of a surprise. As indeed was Mayer playing rubber 5.

All in all I think Leon again gave us every chance in his selections. Picking just one specialist doubles player was best as well in spite of my own doubts, intensified after Andy's 5 hour marathon. Andy was still able to help win rubber 3 and win rubber 4 and the selection gave us that option to change the singles player which we used.

I can really see no problem in selection ( unless possible mind reading skills re Pella playing and I'm not sure that that would have neccessitated a change anyway even with Pella's previous win vs Kyle ).

To me preparation and selection fine. The Argentinians were better and fairly decisively in the Kyle and Evo matches. Well done, them.

I think the lack of post match chewing over suggests that really there was little feeling that things could / should have been done differently.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 19th of September 2016 06:54:13 PM

Spectator · All-time great

We are so fortunate. Yes, we hit the scenario which is currently hard for us - where Andy Murray's two singles points aren't a given, and there's depth on the other side which makes it hard for our number twos to add to the point total. But Andy Murray's performance was truly extraordinary - hope he's being wrapped in cotton wool for a few weeks. Jamie Murray was brilliant. And Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans did all that they could, will have learned, and can use this on their upward trajectory.

And ... the fact that people are disappointed that we are 'only' in the SFs is just a delight in itself: would anyone have thought that a credible possibility five years ago? As is the team spirit. Leon Smith and the team have done such a wonderful job at building that up.

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

indiana wrote:
Jimmy09 wrote:
Well we nearly pulled off the remarkable comeback! In hindsight, which i know is going to be easy to say now, i think we would have been better playing Kyle and Evo in the opposite order, i.e Evo on Friday. But as always a terrific effort by the team, the desire to win from all of them is incredible. Lets not forgot we were slumming it a few years ago and now we are expecting semi finals and finals. Im looking forward to next years already!
I don't think even in hindsight the order was an issue. I reckon Leon simply went with his choice as his #2 for the tie for Friday, Sunday was open with I'd guess no plans to switch at that stage. There was no great argument here against the Kyle selection ( there was a little pre selection debate yes, and a close vote which Kyle just won, with those of us that may have personally plumped for Kyle recognising it was a close choice between two in form players ) and Dan playing on Sunday as I say I doubt was an intial Plan A as such though may have been. As matters transpired his selection for Sunday seemed well agreed with and I was happy to see him as the 'finisher'. Also, of course it is a 'blind draw' and Kyle having Pella to play was a bit of a surprise. As indeed was Mayer playing rubber 5.
All in all I think Leon again gave us every chance in his selections. Picking just one specialist doubles player was best as well in spite of my own doubts, intensified after Andy's 5 hour marathon. Andy was still able to help win rubber 3 and win rubber 4 and the selection gave us that option to change the singles player which we used.
I can really see no problem in selection ( unless possible mind reading skills re Pella playing and I'm not sure that that would have neccessitated a change anyway even with Pella's previous win vs Kyle ).
To me preparation and selection fine. The Argentinians were better and fairly decisively in the Kyle and Evo matches. Well done, them.
I think the lack of post match chewing over suggests that really there was little feeling that things could / should have been done differently.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 19th of September 2016 06:54:13 PM

Great post. I've seen very little reflection which wasn't 'hard luck' and pro-Mayer, Pella and DelPo. It just wasn't our tie.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

Argentina put us in our place really, they have so much depth. Mayer would have taken Kyle down with his powerful game, so clinical and the angles he could make would have undone Kyle, presently. It would have been closer for Pella v Dan I feel, where both cover the court so well but Pella is a tad more powerful, consistent, experienced etc. Same result. Never mind, the journey was great fun and I'm sure GB will make it to another SF before too long. Andy I'm sure, is not finished yet and we will certainly have another top player in Kyle, next year and beyond.