Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Link Back -> Andrew Murray message board -> British men discussion section -> Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - Spain v Great Britain - 2-4 February
Post Info TOPIC: Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - Spain v Great Britain - 2-4 February
steven


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 34418
Date:
Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - Spain v Great Britain - 2-4 February
Permalink  

GB have dropped 1 place to 3rd behind France in the latest Davis Cup rankings and with no. 1 Argentina absent from next year's World Group after losing in the playoffs at the weekend but the 2017 finalists guaranteed the top two seeding places, that also means we will be seeded 3 in the World Group R1 draw at 14.00 GMT (3 pm UK) on Wednesday.

We could draw any of the unseeded teams, with the chances of a home tie just under 1/3rd:

Canada or Germany - GB at home

Kazakhstan - venue decided by lot

Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain or USA - GB away

I'm likely to be in the UK when this happens, so I'm resigned to us drawing the US away when I'm not there wink, though even if I was in the US at the time, they'd probably want to play us outdoors, meaning that a February tie would be in the far south or west and probably just as (in)accessible as if it was in, say, Eastern Europe! 

Goodness knows what our team will be - it could be very depleted or we could have our top players back and very fresh.

If we survive R1 and end up playing any of the other seeded teams later in the competition, we would be at home to all of the other seeds except Australia - of course, the only 'good' time to play Australia away is in R1, just after the Australian Open.



-- Edited by steven on Wednesday 20th of September 2017 03:26:11 PM

__________________

GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!

GB top 25s (ranks, whereabouts) & stats - http://www.britishtennis.net/stats.html
flamingowings


All-time great

Status: Offline
Posts: 5404
Date:
Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - 2-4 February
Permalink  

Hmm. The Argentina group getting bumped down soon after winning is why DC needs to change a bit.

Will be interesting to see who our team consists of.

__________________
JonH


All-time great

Status: Offline
Posts: 6109
Date:
Permalink  

Whoever we draw looks like it could be hardwork, particularly if Andy isnt able to play. Canada or Germany at home will not be easy, presumably indoors on a hard court. Kazakhstan might be ok at home but away could be v tough. Hungary away would probably choose indoor clay and Fucsovics beat the talented Russians on his own last weekend; Japan depends on Nishikori coming back but again away will be tough; Netherlands have something to have come from behind to beat Czech Republic, Spain and USA go without saying. Nothing easy in any of those potential ties.

__________________
JonH
indiana


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 41038
Date:
Permalink  

Must be the World Group then

Actually Hungary or the Netherlands away or Kazakhstan wherever don't look too bad. Fucsovics did well yes but neither he nor the possible indoor clay element ( if we have Kyle for starters ) look too formidable. And well done on the Netherlands coming back from the agonies of losing the opening two matches in 5 sets with De Bakker beating Rosol in the decider but Haase and De Bakker aren't too bad. Good win for Kazakhstan against a Del Potro- less but still pretty strong Argentina but very winnable.

The issue which potentially really adds difficulty, on top of yes some potential tough or very tough ties, is who will be available for us. Take Andy in particular out and to an extent Evo ( with the at best still coming through strength of further backup ) and that's really what changes the whole complexion.



-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 19th of September 2017 11:08:43 AM

__________________
steven


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 34418
Date:
Permalink  

Great Britain will play Spain in Spain ... at least it'll make it easy for Bob to get to, that's the only positive I can think of.

If we win , it would be Australia away or Germany at home in the QFs.

__________________

GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!

GB top 25s (ranks, whereabouts) & stats - http://www.britishtennis.net/stats.html
scottie1


Futures level

Status: Offline
Posts: 1860
Date:
RE: Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - Spain v Great Britain - 2-4 February
Permalink  

steven wrote:

Great Britain will play Spain in Spain ... at least it'll make it easy for Bob to get to, that's the only positive I can think of.

If we win , it would be Australia away or Germany at home in the QFs.

I  hope Andy Murray sees sense and does not participate on a tie that will be played on clay  I think we have zero chance of winning with Spain's strength in depth  



__________________
Bob in Spain


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 19402
Date:
Permalink  

Open house at Bob's place  smile



__________________
JonH


All-time great

Status: Offline
Posts: 6109
Date:
Permalink  

Cor blimey - oh well, we have had a good run!

Looking at the draw, France seem to have it made...not sure when the new single location rules kick in but France could easily get home ties all the way - 2017/18 double on cards, my second BOLD Predition of the day Youll have to wait 12 months to see it pan out though

__________________
JonH
Bob in Spain


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 19402
Date:
Permalink  

Do we know the deadline date for announcing the venue ? I wonder if they will use the Caja Magica. I hope not. When I have been there, it is great for viewing on the outside courts, but the centre court can be very lacking in atmosphere.

__________________
indiana


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 41038
Date:
Permalink  

I don't agree that we have zero chance if say Andy is fit and well and playing the tie and err Rafa isn't, whatever the Spanish strength in depth. OK OK if if. Actually in theory Kyle might hold his own on clay against any but Rafa ( although he has even played a good match vs Rafa ) but I wouldn't be counting on that. Whether I'd want Andy playing is a different question.

But yes certainly could have been easier !

__________________
skibbarriz


Strong Club Player

Status: Offline
Posts: 528
Date:
Permalink  

If there is no Andy and no Evo then we are set for Cam's debut. There'll be little expectation for GB to win, so he'll be playing free of that at least. But Spain on clay won't be fun for any of them, inc Kyle.



-- Edited by skibbarriz on Friday 22nd of September 2017 01:59:10 PM

__________________
Coup Droit


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 55580
Date:
Permalink  

The Daily Fail says that there's very little chance of Andy playing:

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-4904098/Andy-Murray-unlikely-lead-Team-GB-Davis-Cup-tie.html

__________________
scottie1


Futures level

Status: Offline
Posts: 1860
Date:
Permalink  

Coup Droit wrote:

The Daily Fail says that there's very little chance of Andy playing:

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-4904098/Andy-Murray-unlikely-lead-Team-GB-Davis-Cup-tie.html

If this is true then it's a good decision by Andy 



__________________
Bob in Spain


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 19402
Date:
Permalink  

Sad though it would be to not have Andy at DC, it has to be the right decision, based on what we know at this time. Of course things could change, but he needs to protect himself from further injury.

Finding a 2nd singles player for the clay is not going to be easy. I am sure that Cam will get the nod and I have no doubt that he will have deserved that selection, but clay would not be his surface of choice.

__________________
indiana


Tennis legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 41038
Date:
Permalink  

If Alex Ward could really stay fit and show good form for a while might he challenge Cam for a place on clay ?

__________________
1 2 3 … 20  >  Last»  | Page of 20  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Link Back -> Andrew Murray message board -> British men discussion section -> Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - Spain v Great Britain - 2-4 February
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard