The Tennis thread

[The Iron]

Dan Evans has been called up for the Davis Cup.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/34279871

 

[Super_horns]

Dan Evans has been called up for the Davis Cup.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/34279871

I know Edmund was a doubt and Leon Smith must feel Evans is in better form than Ward.

 

[The Iron]

Yeah Evans will be more confident as well i would of thought, as he's won quite a few matches recently. Hopefully it will be a good few days of Tennis and i'm certainly looking forward to it.

 

[Leewilson]

I'm pleased they ddin't throw Edmund into this. I don't he's ready yet. I'd have been happy with Ward or Evans really as both are capable of reaching the level needed to beat Tomic or Kokkanakis. Whether they will or not is a different matter mind. But yeah Dan Evans, get that backhand going and who knows.

 

[Master D]

That stat of 17 slams for Federer showed how dominant in them (with the exception of the French Open of course) he was at his peak. I mean Djokovic has been the best player for the past 4 seasons now (except for a period when Nadal came back and had a fine year two or three years back), and yet he'd still need to win at least 2 slams for the next four years without Federer winning another to surpass him. Extraordinary. If anyone could do it however it would be Djokovic, I wouldn't put it past him at all.

I think he can overtake Nadal for sure and right now it is impossible to see Nadal winning a Slam anywhere. I think Djokovic is still going to be super fit going into his 30's, he relies more on his stamina and court coverage than Federer does but you can still see him dominating even if he loses a bit of speed because of his relentless consistency. Another point is Djokovic has won all his Slams up against these greats in this era, only his first Slam final win was won against someone other than the other big 3. Let's be honest because Federer posted the first 6 or 7 of his Slams in a transitional era for tennis and before Djokovic and Nadal came on the scene ready to compete. Though it is unreal that the guy is 34 and still pushing a prime Djokovic to his limit.

 

[SALTIRE]

I think he can overtake Nadal for sure and right now it is impossible to see Nadal winning a Slam anywhere. I think Djokovic is still going to be super fit going into his 30's, he relies more on his stamina and court coverage than Federer does but you can still see him dominating even if he loses a bit of speed because of his relentless consistency. Another point is Djokovic has won all his Slams up against these greats in this era, only his first Slam final win was won against someone other than the other big 3. Let's be honest because Federer posted the first 6 or 7 of his Slams in a transitional era for tennis and before Djokovic and Nadal came on the scene ready to compete. Though it is unreal that the guy is 34 and still pushing a prime Djokovic to his limit.

They are both phenomenal athletes, and are also perhaps lucky in the way they are built and in Djokovic's case, with the way his ankles are with all that skiing he did when he was a youth. They are incredibly supple and the way Federer glides around the court has helped with his longevity undoubtedly. He also shuts himself off when he is doing his fitness work, and I remember hearing a few years back about his main trainer was wanting to release a book about the sports science and work he did with Federer to keep him in tip-top condition, and it was going to be a leap forward, but I believe Fed put a stop to it as he wasn't wanting anyone getting any tips whilst he was still active in the sport.

Murray hasn't always been so fortunate with his back and his double patellas which can't help him surely going forward; and Nadal has had multiple issues which will only get worse if he continues to play the way he does. I can easily see Federer playing another 2 or 3 seasons yet before he calls it a day, and Djokovic could also still have four or five years at the top as well before time catches up with him.

When they are gone though, who will take their place - there are a few promising players out there, but none of them yet look like becoming a future great.

 

[The Iron]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/34287920

 

[Munkiki]

Bagel!

 

[Leewilson]

Looks like it'll end 1-1 today. Quite simple to me, Murray wins the next match. No way does anybody beat him on these courts. The winner of the tie will go to whoever wins the doubles. Unless Evans pulls some fireworks out in the final match against, I'd guess probably Hewitt.

 

[Munkiki]

Challenge two that were clearly in (one by absolute miles), don't challenge the one that was probably out.

 

[The Iron]

After losing the first set, the Murray's have responded very well by taking the second set 6-3 to level the match. Come on Andy and Jamie!

 

[Munkiki]

Groth/Hewitt were looking comfortable in the third but the Murrays break, back on serve now.

edit - and another break, serving for the third set. Crazy.

 

[The Iron]

Get in!!! Great win.

 

[SALTIRE]

Can never write off the Murray's! Phew!

 

[Super_horns]

Be typical if Murray (Andy) gets injured for the final (if we get there)!

 

[Master D]

There's no worries here, Tomic just isn't a good enough player to beat Murray.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

There's no worries here, Tomic just isn't a good enough player to beat Murray.

Way to jinks it Master

 

[SALTIRE]

There's no worries here, Tomic just isn't a good enough player to beat Murray.

He plays as Murray did when he first came through. Andy has way too much class for him though and he should win in straight sets unless he starts to tire.

 

[The Iron]

No chance of Murray losing the match from here. GB are only a set away from the final.

 

[Master D]

Amazing, never thought I'd see the day where we reach a Davis Cup final. What an athlete Murray is.

 

[The Iron]

Murray is fantastic. The effort he puts in to every point is incredible and he just works his socks off every match. Awesome player to watch.

 

[Super_horns]

Is the final at home?

Usually just after the ATP finals - maybe Murray will pull out of that to keep himself fresh?

 

[SALTIRE]

Amazing, never thought I'd see the day where we reach a Davis Cup final. What an athlete Murray is.

Indeed, I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime, absolutely incredible especially since he is the only world class singles player we have. Got a few excellent doubles players too in fairness, but it really is a remarkable achievement.

If its Belgium we play them away, if its Argentina we play them at home. Currently 2 - 2 in their tie.

 

[SALTIRE]

Murray is fantastic. The effort he puts in to every point is incredible and he just works his socks off every match. Awesome player to watch.

He and his brother yesterday were brilliant; we know what Andy brings to the court, but Jamie's volleying yesterday and reactions were something else. They are pure tennis players, and not cavemen like a lot of players out there clubbing the ball as hard as possible.

 

[The Iron]

He and his brother yesterday were brilliant; we know what Andy brings to the court, but Jamie's volleying yesterday and reactions were something else. They are pure tennis players, and not cavemen like a lot of players out there clubbing the ball as hard as possible.

Jamie is an excellent doubles player and i don't think he gets enough credit sometimes, as most of the talk is usually about Andy. Jamie played a lot of good shots yesterday and like you say, his reactions were superb and he played a major part in them getting through their doubles match.

 

[This Charming Mike]

A country with just one top 100 ranked singles player reaching the Davis Cup final is a superb achievement. It's almost unthinkable really, especially when wins have come against Australia (Tomic, Hewitt, Kokkinakis, Groth, Kyrgios), France (Simon, Tsonga, Gasquet, Mahut) and USA (Isner, Young).

Just look at the competition's recent winners too - all had at least two top 50 players. Switzerland had Federer and Stan; Czech Republic were able to call upon Berdych and Stepanek for their two wins, with Vesely and Rosol more than adequate back-ups; Spain used Nadal, Ferrer, Verdasco and Lopez en route to victory in 2011; and Serbia won in 2010 thanks to Djokovic and Troicki.

It just highlights what an incredible player Andy really is. I'm not going to go as far as saying he has carried this GB team as Ward, Jamie et al have all played a part in the run, but this achievement wouldn't have been possible without the younger Murray's commitment, talent and superhuman fitness. We really are very lucky to have him and I so hope GB go on to win it, not least because Andy thoroughly deserves a Davis Cup win (and a few more Grand Slams!) on his CV.

 

[Leewilson]

Been away this weekend so unfortunately have missed the last two days of action. But I echo all of the above. I have to say that this has been made achievable as well by the recent rise in GB double players. They have pushed each other and as a result we are very healthy doubles wise. Fleming/Skupsi pretty much led the way as did Jamie Murray. Then we had a failed singles player in Jonny Marray hone his game and win a doubles grand slam. Inglot is also an excellent doubles player.

You just feel we will get two singles wins with Andy and then the doubles match always gives us a real fighting chance. Plus you'd never rule out a Ward/Evans victory over a top 100 player who maybe isn't mentally atuned to the situation.

Argentina at home for me is a victory for us barring no injury concerns. There's no way Murray loses to Mayer, Delbonis, Berlocq or Schwartzman on a hard court. I'd give whoever our number 2 player is a real opportunity against the latter 3 as well, perhaps even Mayer.

Belgium away is tricky on clay and in an away atmosphere but we'd still have a real shot. Murray's clay court form is much improved and I'd fancy him for two singles wins, even with Goffin in there. Then the doubles is where it's won and lost really but I see no reason why we can't win as we have the better doubles players.

What an opportunity.

 

[Pyeman]

Can anyone explain why the final match was over after two sets?

Simply because it was a dead rubber?

 

[This Charming Mike]

Can anyone explain why the final match was over after two sets?

Simply because it was a dead rubber?

Exactly that.

Davis Cup rules dictate that, if played, dead rubbers are best-of-three matches. Teams can now elect not to play the dead rubbers, though, as GB and France did in the last round.

 

[GodsGift]

Belgium beat the Argies.