Ace Ventura wrote:

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JonH comes home wrote:

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Ace Ventura wrote:

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Good comeback from the Peers & Thompson in the deciding set doubles rubber against the world number 1's. Saved 4 consecutive MPs, before winning 6 points in a row to seal a 6-3 3-6 7-6(6) win.

Real shame about the Canada doubles. I really want this tournament to work, but that is a pretty big issue. As Indy says, hopefully it won't matter too much by the end of the group stage.

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 the problem is that it could do. USA play Italy next. Could go either way, Fognini v Opelka (probably) is a 50-50 call on a fast surface (as it apparently is); Berretini v Fritz, possibly have to favour the Italian but again, on a faster court; then the doubles is Querrey/Sock v Italian pair, which the Americans probably start favourites for. If USA get the win, 2-1 , they are equal on rubbers won/lost for the group, 3-0 they are plus 2 - Plus 2 in 2nd place would see them through for sure, it is the best result a second placed nation could manage to get, so would take several other nations reaching that status AND USA have a 12-0 walkover in games to put into play as well. 2-1 match win for USA and it is touch and go, but without the doubles walkover, they wouldnt be in with as much of a shout. So could make a big difference!  

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It really is bad that it could end up seeing them through (especially the +12 games advantage), and it'll surely have to be looked at going forward, like maybe having an emergency 6th player, or some sort of penalty for not playing it - even if they blatantly tanked and lost 0-6 0-6, while the same result (and not ideal), that would have looked a bit better, as it would be their pregogative, a bit like a team winning both initial Euro / World Cup group matches and resting players for their final group match if they were already through, but this is a bit of a mockery. I'm not sure if FAA will be involved in the latter stages, but if not then it's a bit pointless him even being there, and literally wasting a space.

I was kind of half wanting the States to go through, as although they are seemingly having issues with the broadcasting rights (all non US matches just available on a paid streaming site), them doing well would keep interest and media presence stronger over there, but I'm probably leaning more towards Italy just winning the tie now, so that the States would be officially out and it would be less of an issue / talking point.

That's probably been the only black mark (actually tennis-wise) in what's been a very good opening couple of days with a lot of great quality and exciting matches.

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 Apparently Russia only have a team of 3, Rublev, Khachanov and Donskoy, so the 2 singles players will always have to double up somewhere.

twitter.com/russellcfuller/status/1197078896610627584

Andy to lead off, then dan at #1 , and jamie and neal in doubles.

Should win both singles, doubles could be tight. But if we win both singles, dutch will be out so motivation in doubles may be lessened

3 nil win would be very important potentially 

Smudge226 wrote:

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JonH comes home wrote:

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So in this mornings matches, Japan and the Dutch could exit the event if they lose; Argentina will go through to the QF stage if they beat Germany.

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 Not sure who we'd prefer in QF, should we win group that is.

Hope Italy beat USA. Shouldn't be allowed to forfeit games given they have 5man team.

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 Hi - I think it was Canada gave USA the walkover by the way, so USA gained but it wasnt their fault. Canada had reached QF stage and their two player had both played so decided to forfeit...still dont agree but with FAA injured the Canadian team is actually just a two man team and so a) they have done blooming well to get through and b) from their perspective resting the 2 players from doubles duty was probably the lesser of the two evils