DC 2014 Final - 21-23 Nov 2014

First topic message reminder :

SUI and FRA contest the final in a few days.

http://www.daviscup.com/en/draws-results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100021090

SUI has two players coming out of WTF, while FRA has depth in numbers.

SUI may never be at this point in the near future and can make the best of the presented opportunity. Federer and Wawrinka would like to add this to their CV, if they can. They will rue the opportunity that Lady Luck has thrown their way.

FRA is the last hurdle, and have some good players, a home court advantage and a surface that may favor them more the the SUI. H2Hs may be meaningless in such a contest given that any of the players on one side can beat players on the other side of the net.

ARG v ESP turned out to be an excellent DC final, with DelPotro, Monaco, Nalbandian trying their best to get the better of the other side.

Will this final live up to its billing?

The Special Juan wrote:I don't blame him, their national anthem is terrible, unlike the Swiss flag which is a big plus.

Grooooooooaaaaaannn. Link thoroughly deserved, sir.

But it is a pretty awesome flag.

Our anthem is terrible, but I would still sing it. The boy needs a clip round the ear!

We have a Brit in the DC final which is a good thing

Hearing those bells remind of the Winter Olympics and the sledding events.

You watched the Winter Olympics?

This last game was superb from Suisse.

Go go gooo

I hear the crowd's near 30000. For a tennis match that's phenomenal and you really hear it. Indoor conditions only add to the atmosphere. This is what the DC is all about.

Omg Stan making concrete out of clay, Fireee

Toblerones break.

Gasquet you prat!

great match so far - high quality play and it's so enjoyable in doubles! (and at least it's 5 sets)
4-2 for SWI, one break up

5:2, Stan and Fed best friends, again

The Swiss serving has been brilliant. Both players backing up the serve at the net.

I'd like to see a rule introduced where players have to play so many doubles tournaments on tour to be eligible for DC doubles.

The Special Juan wrote:I'd like to see a rule introduced where players have to play so many doubles tournaments on tour to be eligible for DC doubles.

Or what about having a doubles tournament within the mandatory 18? Would be nice too:)

What back injury?

biugo wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:I'd like to see a rule introduced where players have to play so many doubles tournaments on tour to be eligible for DC doubles.

Or what about having a doubles tournament within the mandatory 18? Would be nice too:)

Yeah I'd go with that. I think there needs to be mandatory doubles introduced, maybe not at the majors but at the 500s?

Mixed doubles too, just to add some emotions.

First set to Suisse.

Apparently Tsonga chose not to play today.....

I'm not too much for mixed doubles - too much discrepancy within a team. But instead of a 500 yes - would be a good boost for that doubles, which is fading since the 90s. I love DC mostly for the big double match!
And imagine, You could have Fed and Nadal pairing in Barcelona, for example

I think it's a good choice since Fedrinka is playing. Benneteau is a great double player, and Tsonga will player better for the match against Fed. (Fun to imagine Fed could win the DC while losing his 2 singles - would feel funny)

Gasquet shanking his BH - taking example on Fed?

biugo wrote:I think it's a good choice since Fedrinka is playing. Benneteau is a great double player, and Tsonga will player better for the match against Fed. (Fun to imagine Fed could win the DC while losing his 2 singles - would feel funny)

I would imagine that Stan would find it even funnier

Jahu wrote:5:2, Stan and Fed best friends, again

Always best friends. Only the press seeks to make a mountain out of a molehill to sell a story. I read in the NY Times, a more reliable/ respectable source, that Stan comforted Roger yesterday right after his friend's loss and even helped carry roger's bag departing the stadium. Stan, 

biugo wrote:Gasquet shanking his BH - taking example on Fed?

Fed showing who the real shanker is

Haddie-nuff wrote:

biugo wrote:I think it's a good choice since Fedrinka is playing. Benneteau is a great double player, and Tsonga will player better for the match against Fed. (Fun to imagine Fed could win the DC while losing his 2 singles - would feel funny)

I would imagine that Stan would find it even funnier

Stanimal in charge today, Fed just keeping wifes in good behaviour

Go Swissss Goooooo

By the look of Roger running all around, it seems his back niggle is behind him
Tsonga will need to be ready

Wilander doing some great commenting on ES.

Blue Moon wrote:

Jahu wrote:5:2, Stan and Fed best friends, again

Always best friends. Only the press seeks to make a mountain out of a molehill to sell a story. I read in the NY Times, a more reliable/ respectable source, that Stan comforted Roger yesterday right after his friend's loss and even helped carry roger's bag departing the stadium. Stan, 

Thanks god. Got tired last week reading all kinds of imaginary self-pleasure induced crap.

Jahu wrote:Wilander doing some great commenting on ES.

Well he would do Federer is playing

HN, Wilander is not a big fan of Fed, more balanced I guess, compared to Rusedski who melts when talking about Fed

Jahu wrote:HN, Wilander is not a big fan of Fed, more balanced I guess, compared to Rusedski who melts when talking about Fed

Keep telling yourself that Jahu

I hope Socal is recording this match. For the first and quite possibly last (barring a DC fixture vs the Seres, it seems), Federer is being booed. Resoundingly so as well

Probably because he battered the ball at the French guy when he smashed it.

Federer is a liability for SUI, as is Gasquet for FRA. It is a question of who cracks first.

Well thats novel for you LF  Federer a liability..?????

laverfan wrote:Federer is a liability for SUI, as is Gasquet for FRA. It is a question of who cracks first.

Lately it's Stan who started to lower hs level... Although Fed did miss easy shots too

France need more risk taking - they make great shots, but then play the percentage when they have a BP...

Swiss faced at least a BP in every game this set... but not broken yet

Bejesus Stan mullered the fluff on that one!

Ever the reliable Gasquet folding at the clutch points.

The Special Juan wrote:Apparently Tsonga chose not to play today.....

The commentators reiterating that story. Apparently 5 minutes before the teams were picked! I think he even practiced with Gasquet! If that is true, I wouldn't let him near the DC team again. Quite frankly that is disgraceful.

legendkillarV2 wrote:Ever the reliable Gasquet folding at the clutch points.

Reminds me the thread about Fed's second serve - when you have Fed's or Gasquet's, you see the importance of that shot!

biugo wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:Ever the reliable Gasquet folding at the clutch points.

Reminds me the thread about Fed's second serve - when you have Fed's or Gasquet's, you see the importance of that shot!

Indeed. It just looked like he rolled in those last couple of serves.

legendkillarV2 wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Apparently Tsonga chose not to play today.....

The commentators reiterating that story. Apparently 5 minutes before the teams were picked! I think he even practiced with Gasquet! If that is true, I wouldn't let him near the DC team again. Quite frankly that is disgraceful.

Disgraceful indeed! However, Benneteau is playing brilliantly - the regrets for France is that Gasquet and Ben didn't prepare together..

biugo wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Apparently Tsonga chose not to play today.....

The commentators reiterating that story. Apparently 5 minutes before the teams were picked! I think he even practiced with Gasquet! If that is true, I wouldn't let him near the DC team again. Quite frankly that is disgraceful.

Disgraceful indeed! However, Benneteau is playing brilliantly - the regrets for France is that Gasquet and Ben didn't prepare together..

It's like Benny is trying to win the match by himself!

Needs to support Gasquet and get him involved.

Haddie-nuff wrote:

Jahu wrote:HN, Wilander is not a big fan of Fed, more balanced I guess, compared to Rusedski who melts when talking about Fed

Keep telling yourself that Jahu

Don't be a Canadian Patriot now, don't start me on patriotism

Stan happy to let Federer take the lead.

Lift that head up Richard!

legendkillarV2 wrote:

biugo wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Apparently Tsonga chose not to play today.....

The commentators reiterating that story. Apparently 5 minutes before the teams were picked! I think he even practiced with Gasquet! If that is true, I wouldn't let him near the DC team again. Quite frankly that is disgraceful.

Disgraceful indeed! However, Benneteau is playing brilliantly - the regrets for France is that Gasquet and Ben didn't prepare together..

It's like Benny is trying to win the match by himself!

Needs to support Gasquet and get him involved.

Maybe involving him is a bit risky?

They could add a rule that you canchange a player during the match, a bit like in football