C/RR3: (2) Cameron Norrie WR 52 vs (2) Alexander Cozbinov (MDA) WR 816 (= CH)
C/RR3: (1) Daniel Evans WR 42 vs (1) Radu Albot (MDA) WR 46 (CH = 39 last August)
C/RR3: Jamie Murray & Joe Salisbury CR 45 (23+22) vs Radu Albot & Alexander Cozbinov (MDA/MDA) CR 486 (99+387)
Dan leads the head-to-head with Albot by 2-1. All three matches were played last year: Dan beat Albot in three sets in the last 16 at Atlanta (7-6(5) 5-7 6-2) & in straight sets in the first round at Eastbourne (7-6(2) 6-2), while the Moldovan came back from the dead in that final ay Delray Beach to win by 3-6 6-3 7-6(7). There is no head-to-head for Cam & Cozbinov.
Cam strikes the first blow, taking the first set by 6-2.
Very good vs the WR 46, Albot, and another help to our set % if Jamie & Joe can now at least get us into a 2nd placers 2-1 6-3 tiebreak.
On a personal level that's another 50 points to Dan, taking him up to live #37 on 1239 points* and possibly getting within striking distance of the top 32 if we reach the QF and he then plays and beats a well ranked player ( though if we qualify as a RU that QF meeting could well be with Djokovic or Nadal, win the group and it's the Aus #1, probably de Minaur ).
Anyway, first Jamie & Joe, secure that 3-0 win, guys.
* passing poor Reilly Opelka who as Bob noted earlier was tweeting his views on the ATP Cup 19th ranking counters. The higher ranked Isner and Fritz have been the USA's singles representatives.
-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 7th of January 2020 04:58:09 AM
Let's see what transpires but I make it that if Jamie & Joe can win in straight sets our final 2-1 6-3 14-7 record will put us in a very strong position for being one of the best two 2nds if we don't win the group ( it's a record that can only be beaten by the Spain/Japan Group B and equaled by Austria from Group E - so possibly go to games % )
Anyway, the boys are under way and are 3-2* on serve.
Good win from Dan, he has had a pretty decent tournament so far, bodes well for a further climb up the rankings. hopefully into a seeded position for the FO and Wimbledon.
Serbia, Australia and Russia all certainly into qf round, all 3 made davis cup last 8 also. Spain, Canada and GB look likely to join them, again all 3 made davis cup last 8.
Looking like those 6 nations will have been in both team events last 8. Germany and Argentina where in Davis Cup last 8 and will miss out here. Zverev got thrashed again , this time by Shapo, and looks massively out of sorts.
But bulgaria thrashing belgium! Darcis lost 0 and 3 (!). How does that work, cam beat the Bulgarian,darcis thrashed cam and then gets whacked by the guy cam beat!
And dimitrov has an early lead. Could be down to 2nd place after all, but good show by the bulgarians. Dimitrov could be danger in AO as well.