Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - Spain v Great Britain - 2-4 February

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Davis Cup 2018 World Group R1 - Spain v Great Britain - 2-4 February

flamingowings · All-time great

Ah well, Australia are also in the same boat as we are I think. And we should have a stronger team in that Kyle will hopefully be fit, Andy too as Dan.

I like the DC and wouldn't wish it to be gone but the placements on the ties in an already packed tennis year is hard going. As is the fact that you can win the tie one year and then be relegated or something the next year (like with the Argies last year?)

flamingowings · All-time great

Oh ta for that stircrazy will be using that in the future!

indiana · Tennis legend

Our play-off will be a draw against one of the other World Group R1 losers or one of those 'promoted' to the play-offs, ie. very unlikely to be Australia ( indeed I would think we will both be seeded ), the loser in the match we were bracketed with for a potential QF.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

flamingowings wrote:
Oh ta for that stircrazy will be using that in the future!

You're welcome. I have the advantage of being an ex-professional technical translator (degree in French, with German subsid, A Level Spanish & reading knowledge of Italian & Portuguese), so I at least know how names in those languages should sound. wink

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

flamingowings wrote:
Agree about Lloyd, shame that Jamie had to leave the commentary. He is lovely.

That said, glad its ARV playing at the moment. I know we are generally a nation of being rubbish at languages but the butchering of RBA's name was really annoying (pouncing it AgUT with a hard T sound, no, no, no.)

The trouble with names, too, is that they often don't even abide by the normal rules of pronunciation of the country.

And are very specific to their region, which have distinctly dialect rules, often not even known to their own countrymen who come from other areas. You can probably think of plenty of English examples.

But France is full of them and many English people (and other French people) will think they're pronouncing them perfectly until they get sharply corrected by the person in question.

Sue Barker and John Lloyd, however, haven't even mastered year 8 guidelines, it's horrible.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

Magnificent effort again from Cam. He really gets the team ethos and handled the pressure so well, a well rounded player. So good for GB to have another dirt-ball option. In time his frame and power will develop and he is an intelligent player, fab to watch. That was an enjoyable match, apart from the dubs where GB were seriously off colour. GB leave as losers but the future looks bright.

JonH · All-time great

Qf's are: home team first

Italy v France - presumably on clay in Rome or somewhere with a decent size venue

Spain v Germany - again clay no doubt and could be a good tie

Croatia v Kazakhstan - presumably will use clay v the Kazakhstan team

USA v Belgium - hard court no doubt, presumably outdoors given time of year just after miami

-- Edited by JonH on Monday 5th of February 2018 12:46:21 AM

JonH · All-time great

As someone points out, in the playoffs we will be seeded and could draw any of 8 non seeds.

By then, we could have good choices in the team and look forward to world group next year, I have no doubts

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

JonH wrote:
As someone points out, in the playoffs we will be seeded and could draw any of 8 non seeds.

By then, we could have good choices in the team and look forward to world group next year, I have no doubts

Yes agree with all that Jon. With all these options now in the new 5player format we should be strong enouh with seeding to stay up. I was reluctant to accept 5man teams but now we actually have five decent players, I'm all signed up..

Griff · Improver

Does anyone know when the draw for the play offs will be ?

indiana · Tennis legend

Griff wrote:
Does anyone know when the draw for the play offs will be ?

Not sure, but the next round of area group matches that will determine who goes up to the play-offs are 6th/7th April. I would guess quite soon after then.

I note that the area groups are 2 day ties, made up of 5 best of 3 set matches, evidently the way the World Group could be going too

JonH · All-time great

indiana wrote:
Griff wrote:
Does anyone know when the draw for the play offs will be ?
Not sure, but the next round of area group matches that will determine who goes up to the play-offs are 6th/7th April. I would guess quite soon after then.
I note that the area groups are 2 day ties, made up of 5 best of 3 set matches, evidently the way the World Group could be going too

correct, draw will be sometime later that week commencing 9th April.

Smudge226 · Strong Club Player

Correct, only the World Group has maintained 3day & 5sets, everything below is this new 2day & 3set format, yuck...
The WG play offs though will be 3day & 5set following USO I think without checking, yonks off... bah.. But at least plenty of time for Andy, Kedders & Evo.

skibbarriz · Strong Club Player

I suppose the 5 man team will be Kyle, Evo, Cam, Andy Jamie. Without possible a debate of Evo or Dom, based on what Evo has demonstrated during his return.

Anyhows, fantastic weekend of tennis for GB. And was surprised and pleased to see the BBC comments section full of support and praise for Cam. Instead of comments on nationality like Konta always gets. The guy has been embraced right from the start and experience sounds like it's been massive for him. And special word for Liam who did himself very proud. Faltered at one or two pressure points but that is just reminding us what it is to compete out there for your country for these guys. Could not have asked for more from those two.