2022 BJK Cup Qualifiers - Czech Republic vs GB - 15-16 April - plus pre Finals preamble

emmsie69 · Top national player

RE: 2022 BJK Cup Qualifiers - Czech Republic vs GB - 15-16 April

indiana · Tennis legend

I actually do rhink that Harriet and Heather are our top doubles pair, and yes Harriet our best.

I just think that in a squad of 5 there is room to have Lissey or Liv in there as an option as the week progresses. I'd definitely say if not now if they continue to progress that argument comes again without having to be anything like as high as doubles top 10.

Right nowI think that there is an argument for one being a better option than Emma or either Katie to play doubles if Harriet or Heather become unavailable or Anne wants to rest at least one from doubles, although I realise Katie S has done pretty well in the past in BJK doubles ( and interesting she has been playing doubles this past week ). If Emma or one of the others proves to be unfit for the squad then surely Lissey or Liv shoud be the 5th squad member before say Jodie or Sonay who would not realistically be in contention to play singles..

emmsie69 · Top national player

indiana wrote:
I actually do rhink that Harriet and Heather are our top doubles pair, and yes Harriet our best.

I just think that in a squad of 5 there is room to have Lissey or Liv in there as an option as the week progresses. I'd definitely say if not now if they continue to progress that argument comes again without having to be anything like as high as doubles top 10.
Right nowI think that there is an argument for one being a better option than Emma or either Katie to play doubles if Harriet or Heather become unavailable or Anne wants to rest at least one from doubles, although I realise Katie S has done pretty well in the past in BJK doubles ( and interesting she has been playing doubles this past week ). If Emma or one of the others proves to be unfit for the squad then surely Lissey or Liv shoud be the 5th squad member before say Jodie or Sonay who would not realistically be in contention to play singles..

My problem is that our singles players are prone to niggles although Katie Swan is atleast managing to play a full tournament which bodes well. I'd agree that if it came down to Sonay or a doubles specialist, I'd probably go with the doubles specialist right now but I don't think there is an argument for one of them to replace one of Emma, Heather, Harriet or either Katie should those 5 be available.

foobarbaz · Strong Club Player

I think Anne will stick with the team that played the Czechs, plus Boulter. However unlikely it may be as an outcome, Anne has to plan for GB to get to the final and be competitive enough at the end to actually take the trophy. These will be high octane matches, and Anne will not want to have to put one of our singles players through what Harriet had to endure in the Czech tie. Having to play doubles after two tough singles matches, Harriet was absolutely spent for the decider. Also I think Anne has well and truly put her faith in the youngsters now, and if nothing else it will be a fantastic opportunity for them to show the tennis world what they can do.

the addict · Tennis legend

The finals week matches are two singles and a doubes, so no reverse singles and hence a lesser workload.

I'm expecting the team to be as predicted above, and no surprises unless more than one of the five is injured. I'd expect Harriet and Heather to play the doubles assuming that it was a live match. I don't think there is a case for adding a doubles specialist right now as H+H is probably the best pair we have (regardless of ranking). Lissey and Liv are a partnership rather than outstanding individuals right now, although they are both improving fast and could well be in contention next year.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

the addict wrote:
The finals week matches are two singles and a doubes, so no reverse singles and hence a lesser workload.

I'm expecting the team to be as predicted above, and no surprises unless more than one of the five is injured. I'd expect Harriet and Heather to play the doubles assuming that it was a live match. I don't think there is a case for adding a doubles specialist right now as H+H is probably the best pair we have (regardless of ranking). Lissey and Liv are a partnership rather than outstanding individuals right now, although they are both improving fast and could well be in contention next year.

This

PaulM · Tennis legend

Yes it's only 2 singles and a doubles per tie, and a day off in between. Very different from the 2-day best of 5 rubbers.

Harriet very capable of playing at #2 singles and the doubles if needed. However I am not convinced Emma will play (although I am certain she will be announced in the team to help boost ticket sales) so will likely be #1.

The choice of who plays at #2 is surely from the Katie's. Hard to overlook Katie B as having the higher highs and bog occasion experience, but on form right now, and given we don't know Katie B's fitness, why not let Swan have a swing. It's very unlikely we will win either group tie anyway (although I think we have a bigger chance against a Mugurza-less Spain to sneak it 2-1 than we do against a Rybakina/Poots Kazakh team).

dodrade · Futures qualifying

Personally i'd rate Lissey and Liv who play together almost every week over Heather and Harriet who are an occasional partnership with undistinguished results this year but Annie K seems to prefer singles players who can pair up if necessary over doubles specialists.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Only 4 players selected. None of them are Katie Swan....

Emma, Harriet, Katie B and Heather.

emmsie69 · Top national player

Maybe she is waiting to see how Harriet and Alicia play together

emmsie69 · Top national player

Also the assumption on here is that it is always the LTA at fault when their favourite doesn't get selected but it is also possible that conversations have been had about availability and personal goals. Players may have also expressed an opinion on whether they would like to play or prefer to be on tour gaining points

foobarbaz · Strong Club Player

emmsie69 wrote:
Also the assumption on here is that it is always the LTA at fault when their favourite doesn't get selected but it is also possible that conversations have been had about availability and personal goals. Players may have also expressed an opinion on whether they would like to play or prefer to be on tour gaining points

It's Annie's job to assemble the squad and as emmsie69 says, she's taking into account lots of factors. I'd like to see a younger squad, but then this BJK final's week could prove quite disruptive for our players trying to achieve the highest ranking possible for the start of the new season, and the Aussie Open. Perhaps the decision is to protect players this time round. There's no doubt that Boulter and Watson deserve to play in this big occasion in front of home fans, for the service they have given to GB tennis. It's also great that Emma is selected, and hopefully that means she will be fit enough to play. The same goes for Harriet too.

indiana · Tennis legend

foobarbaz wrote:
emmsie69 wrote:
Also the assumption on here is that it is always the LTA at fault when their favourite doesn't get selected but it is also possible that conversations have been had about availability and personal goals. Players may have also expressed an opinion on whether they would like to play or prefer to be on tour gaining points
It's Annie's job to assemble the squad and as emmsie69 says, she's taking into account lots of factors. I'd like to see a younger squad, but then this BJK final's week could prove quite disruptive for our players trying to achieve the highest ranking possible for the start of the new season, and the Aussie Open. Perhaps the decision is to protect players this time round. There's no doubt that Boulter and Watson deserve to play in this big occasion in front of home fans, for the service they have given to GB tennis. It's also great that Emma is selected, and hopefully that means she will be fit enough to play. The same goes for Harriet too.

Agreed other rhan the idea that any players "deserve to play" based on past service. ( or indeed on age ). OK, if it is based on reasonably recent BJK Cup performances and their form is currently up thete but ultimately I'd say that it is Anne's job to pick the best team in the here and now subject yes to maybe agreeing that certain players are best left on circuit to pursue short term ranking ambitions. They can be thanked for past service in other ways

the addict · Tennis legend

Disappointing that only four have been nominated at the moment, although it is possible to add a fifth player before the tournament starts and it would count as one of the three permitted changes. But as others have said, we don't know what the player committments are and their goals for the rest of the season (other than making the cut-off for the AO !!)

dodrade · Futures qualifying

Baffling stuff to pick only four and not select GB's most in-form player (I'd be very surprised if Swan asked to be left out, she's always been there even when not playing singles). That said I half expect her to replace Emma in the squad the week before.