Spectator wrote:

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All of the discussion makes me realise more than anything how fortunate we are to have a captain who evaluates situations fairly, makes sensible decisions, and has the trust and confidence of all concerned, so that he should be able to implement what he decides. Viva Leon Smith! And viva the situation in which we can have such debates about which players it would be best to play in the DC semifinal for the second consecutive year.

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Most certainly, Spectator. I see Leon as generally very pragmatic, honest and I just feel that he's probably greatly respected by all the players.

I am also one who really thinks number 2 to Andy is or should be still very open between Kyle and Evo.

Kyle certainly did beat Evo very clearly and I would not go as far as to say that's irrelevant. It's there, head to head on the day he was the clearly better. But it was indeed one match and some match-ups don't work out that well for players or just on the day ... Anyway as said it is not against each other it is who is judged to be better to play the Argentinian players on the particular surface at the particular time. So much to consider, not least all the other matches they have been playing and in particular will play before this tie. A best of 3 set match between themselves virtually settling who should play best of 5 matches against others at a different time and different occasion, not for me.

They are very similarly ranked now with Evo live moving just ahead in both rankings and race, helped of course by his license to go off to Washington. Now whilst again there is much more to consider ( and it would be a fool who simply plumped for who was ahead particularly if close ) the evidence is there that overall they have performed to a similar level and both have had ups and downs, thankfully many more ups.

The match no doubt won't be on clay, for which absolutely Kyle would be the choice. On hard against a big range of opposition they seem not that far apart. And until this cramping business of Kyle feels much more sorted then it is a worry for best of 5 Davis Cup rubbers. It appears for now now far from fully understood, by his own people, claimed not to be wholly physical ( and I doubt it is ). If it is occasion / tension related ( or whatever combination ) it has repeatedly had a big effect as early as third sets.

No debate? I beg very much to differ and given I am not alone, we here at least do have a debate. Kyle did very well in Belgrade, probably is favourite right now, but as Leon will want to field the best he can and that is in doubt, then so the selection must be in doubt. 

How good it is to have two players so on the up and continuing to improve to the extent that both lie just outside the top 50 in the live race. Let's hope both continue to perform well and give Leon a positive headache.

so back to Glasgow - can't say I'm surprised

Be an interesting next few weeks with both Kyle and Evo entered for ATP Winston Salem next week and then clearly the US Open. Form will be important though that does seem to extend right into the Davis Cup week prep and what Leon sees then.

Certainly nothing has recently changed my view that # 2 singles player is still very much up for grabs as long as Evo hasn't burnt any bridges and it would have to have been quite a fire.

christ wrote:

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Delpo looks like he may be a bit of a handful for either of our potential number twos.

He has quite the fearhand too!

-- Edited by christ on Monday 15th of August 2016 01:45:33 PM

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 Delpo may be a fair handful for our #1 !

Fair chance Delpo will be Argentine #2 on ranking if he plays, which would mean him facing Andy fresh on day 1 and due to play our #2 in the fifth rubber. If that's how it transpires would prefer not to be 2-2 at that stage.

Re the court speed I imagine we will make it fairly quick ( quicker than Rio and what's been previously set for USA and Australia ties I would have thought assuredly ) though fast would not be ideal for Kyle.