Davis Cup GB v Israel

mkkreuk · Admin:Moderator + ATP qualifying

RE: Davis Cup GB v Israel

Drew · Jul 21, 2006

That was bizarre....but we must not be to surprised....anyone remember 'Mello'.....can anyone forget !

At least he played out a 5 setter...and won...without cramping...it was VERY hot there today I believe.

So for Saturday......ALL in the doubles....if we loose then down to the last rubber....on todays form it should be Mackin playing....!

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

I was very, very disappointed by Al's performance today. it was in exactly the same vein as his last DC match, and it is woeful to see a professional sportsman throw in the towel like that. Andy played just as poorly in the first to sets, looking as uninterested as Al had. At least Andy had the guts to show some fight, and got his just reward.

Its hard to defend Al, but he just cant cut it. It doesn't mean to say that he is not a thoroughly decent bloke, but his mentality is going to prevent him from achieving what he is capable of.

The question for Bates is who does he play on Sunday? We can only speculate, Bates will have a much idea of Al's mindset. My opinion is that Mackin or Delgado should play. If Al can't handle the pressure on the first day, what is he going to be like when our Davis Cup future depends on him? Not sure who I'd choose between Alan and Jamie though, will have to see how the doubles goes. Hopefully Ram will be suffering with sore legs, sore shoulders, I saw him having a couple of injury timeouts but not sure what for as I often watch with the sound off.

anyway, its an interesting tie....

RJA · Hall of fame

I suppose we should give Andy credit for sticking in there and coming through in the end but if I was his coach he would have had a major bollocking after coming off court. What the hell he was thinking of in the first two and half sets I just don't know. He didn't look like he was remotely interested in playing a competitive match and I suspect it was only the realisation that he was on the brink of the most humiliating defeat of his carear that finally forced something better from him. Everybody has off days but to go into a big Davis Cup tie in such a poor frame of mind simply isn't good enough.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i have just got back from eastbourne, it was really hot out there!! alex's performance was really poor, but okun did play a great match too, he was hitting the ball so hard and always seemed to find the lines it was painfull. i think bates has got no clue how to handle alex, his approch between alex and andy was so noticably different, speaking of bates i dont know whats he does but both our players went out there today totaly flat, the isrealies came out all guns blazing and both took control of the matches staright away. somethign needs to be done there.

To be honest we are very lucky andy came back from the brink, at one point it looked like we werent even going to get a set. however once the 4th set got under way andy m looked like the only winner, he still seems to play some iffy shots at various times.

on the plus side i had a good seat right at the side of the court, a bit further down from where the brit players were sitting, so had no one blocking my view or waving big green sticks in front of me.

aria81 · Club Coach

It's never dull with Andy, is it? I don't know why he is incapable of starting matches quickly but it's a pain. I have an amateur psychology theory on that which is that due to Boggo's capitulation that Andy realised that it was basically all on him and he basically choked, like what he did with Wawrinka in the Swiss tie, and what he did against Baghdatis when he realised he had a really good chance of reaching his first Slam QF and beyond - after two sets down, his pride kicked in and he realised that he had to step up or risk being humiliated and the tie being over and that's how he was able to step it up in the third and then take control of the match. I think that accounts for him mentioning the Baghdatis match in his post-match interview, and the criticism he received for that match. We know what he's like - he tends to be desperate to prove people wrong. :)

Anyway - first two sets were rubbish, and then he was by far his old self after he broke in the 3rd. Hopefully Ram will be paying for that tomorrow and we can somehow sneak a win off the doubles and keep it away from a fifth rubber.

mjd · Challenger qualifying

aria81 wrote:

................. Hopefully Ram will be paying for that tomorrow and we can somehow sneak a win off the doubles and keep it away from a fifth rubber.

Just heard on radio that Andy Ram may not be able to play doubles due to a hamstring problem!

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i wonder what will happen today, if its ram and elrich will bates rest murray? it would be a difficult match to win i think, possibly play alex and jamie? give al a go in an environment where he has support from jamie. it would also give bates a chnace to see who plays betetr vs ram's serve, which was a real big one.

if ram's injured however that could do us a real big favour.

VSandhi20 · Futures qualifying

If Ram's was not to play, i think murray should still play you want to put your best team on display. but if he was not to play, i think it would be difficult for delgado because alex and mackin are inexperience in the doubles, im not sure that correct?

Count Zero · Tennis legend

if ram doesnt play then andy should cause we could have a great chance to win the tie, i dont know who the 4th player is but woudl expect okun to play as his confrince must be high. But if Ram's problem is better then i think it maybe unwise to put andy out, its very hot out there, Andy came through ok yesterday, but i dont want it to catch up with him on sunday.

Alex has also said he is suffering from a bit of a groin injury.

murrayman650 · ATP level

right here is my theory murray has dilbaretly beaten ram in 5 sets so ram can't play in the doubles

RJA · Hall of fame

Regardless of who plays for Israel we simply have to play Andy in the doubles. After Boggo's performance yesterday we need to win this tie before the last rubber. It might be tough on Andy to play 3 matches in 3 days in these conditions but he is the class act out there and we need him to step up and be counted.

Drew · Jul 22, 2006

murrayman650 wrote:

right here is my theory murray has dilbaretly beaten ram in 5 sets so ram can't play in the doubles

theres a thought

Regardless of who lines up in the doubles we must play our best 2...Murray & Delgado...if we go 2-1 up then Andy should be capable of beating Okun...then Boggo can play the last dead rubber to redeem himself slightly and get a DC win under his belt !

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

murrayman650 wrote:

right here is my theory murray has dilbaretly beaten ram in 5 sets so ram can't play in the doubles

Didn't work!! Ram is playing (well he will be when the rain stops)

RJA · Hall of fame

Curse the British weather