Week 31 - Challenger ($125,000) - Chengdu, China (hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

Week 31 - Challenger ($125,000) - Chengdu, China (hard)

Vandenburg · Futures level

indiana wrote:
Now Vanderburg read what Bob and I have said, and I did come round to earlier next year actually maybe being more possible for James. We have both set out scenarios and neither of us have said it's particularly likely nor are we talking now or indeed this year. Neither of us placed James ahead of Andy and Kyle.

So particularly read Bob's last post and indeed I'm sure he wouldn't mind you picking the bones out it if you wish.

That would be rather better than flinging out disparaging one liners

Ok , let's break this down to realism,

Best case scenario, Ward gets back to 150 in the world. Even then he would be behind Kyle (possibly Bedene and Evans??)

Even then, Norrie ranaked 180 or Clarke ranked 250 is more likely to get picked, because of looking for the future.

indiana · Tennis legend

Thanks, Vandenburg.

I would say the aim of a Davis Cup tie is to win that tie before looking to the future and in the World Group you haven't the luxury of trying to do both. So for me best from these available whoever that might be. And again this is considering that Bedene and Evans may very well not be available, or at least Evo not yet back up to speed ( if I can use that expression with him ! ). So either of Andy or Kyle being unavailable could be a real issue in which say James vs Cam vs Jay needs looked at.

James' ranking early in the year will clearly basically be based on half a year so much less account should be made of direct ranking comparisons, just an allowance should also be made for Cam to some extent for a late start to the year to next February and to both Cam and Jay if they are on an improving points gathering curve. Just no to A is ranked higher than B so ...

So look at the players' apparent level say next February and judge how they are each additionally likely to deal with a Davis Cup situation vs the particular opponents on the particular surface and pick the team, but then Leon seems to have quite a good feel for this stuff.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Leon Smith made a very pertinent comment (one of many) when he said, a year ago or so, that it was vital that Davis Cup captaincy was kept separate from LTA management precisely for this 'future' argument reason.
Leon has no interest in thanking people for previous help, nor for helping players develop into future players - that's the LTA's job.
His sole mandate is to win the Davis Cup encounters. So, he might possibly want to help people develop in the very short term but his basic role will be to pick the best players capable of winning that match on that day.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

When is comes down to DC, Leon has shown himself to be the ultimate pragmatist. Reputation, ranking and future potential mean very little. Simply, who has the best chance to win the match. Picking Evo over Jamie Baker in Coventry all those years ago against Russia was the classic example. So it will come down to form, surface, opponent, experience, ability to handle the situation etc. Nothing else.

Babfive · Satellite level

James takes the first set 6-3 with a second service ace

Babfive · Satellite level

James breaks straight away *1-0 (There is no reaction from the crowd, which seems to consist of just one person in the whole stadium - as far as the camera let's us see).)

Babfive · Satellite level

James gets to *40-0, loses 4 points in a row to face break points, then gets 3 in a row to take the game. 2-0*

Babfive · Satellite level

*2-1

Babfive · Satellite level

James holds with an ace 3-1*

Babfive · Satellite level

James breaks to 15 *4-1

Babfive · Satellite level

Rawat gets to *15-40 but James wins 4 points in a row to hold 5-1* (And the crowd in the stadium doubled to 2 during that game.)

Babfive · Satellite level

From 15-30* James wins 3 in a row to take the match 6-3 6-1. A bit rusty in places but another win under his belt. Well done James.

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Good to see! Let's hope this is the start of things to come!

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Well done Wardy again . Caught a bit of the match. Stormin' serving.

As someone else said , the stadium was eerily empty. You'd think they'd wheel some school children in or something.