DC 2014 Final - 21-23 Nov 2014

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?

I hope it does.

The French have had plenty of preparation and rest ahead of the tie and should be the fresher.

I am hoping 2-2 before the last rubber and Fed steps out....

Hopefully not stepping out completely crocked as well.

I see a 'very sorry' humble speech from Roger as he pulls out

Love to know how he'll be fit enough to play two or three times in three days, less than a week after not been able to play in the O2 final

I think Rog will play if it's at all possible. Swiss have to work out whether Fed with a bad back is better than another Swiss guy well down the rankings with a good back.
Difficult to call this one, particularly as the plot has thickened due to the back injury and "Mirkagate". Before all this I was inclined to think Switzerland would win. Not so sure now.

surely Fed is unlikely to step out for the deciding rubber anyway? He's n°1 ranked Swiss player and the two n°1's usually face off in the fourth rubber don't they? (something about wanting them to play each other when the tie is likely to still be alive...)

there's surely no way Fed will play the doubles. Will Stan? 3 long matches in three days at the end of a long season? The French are usually pretty strong in doubles, and does Stan/A.N. Other have much chance? Would the Swiss be better off basically sacrificing the doubles and hoping for three singles wins (feasible)?

As for France, who do they go with? Plenty of options but form uncertain for any of them. Tsonga will play you'd think. Gasquet played well in the semi, but not so great since. Monfils is their best clay-courter. Simon made the final in Shanghai. What about the doubles pairing? Benneteau-Gasquet/Tsonga or Gasquet-Tsonga (don't think Monfils or Simon are much cop at doubles).

I expect this to be a very interesting final...

What's the betting that Stan will be taunted in Lille with chants of "Cry baby"?

This must be on of the most anticipated DC finals in a long time. I mean, sure it's mainly to how long before Wawrinka knocks Federer out, but still.

Wawrinka would have probably had the definition of an annus mirrabilis if he manages to win the Davis Cup the same year he won his first Masters and Slam. He also has an Olympic gold medal, so he only needs a WTF victory to complete the set.

Interesting match up possibilities. Don't think Simon or Gasquet are getting a look at a Federer match. So it's Tsonga or Monfils to face Federer, maybe both? Think Simon is more set up to face Wawrinka, especially on clay...

Federer wasn't "broken" injured he was just being cautious because he knows how hard it is to play with that back of his. Is that so hard for you to understand banbro?

I'd like the suisse to win 3-2, with Fed saving their asses

I would imagine Tsonga would go up against Federer given his success over Federer at RG this year.

Can't think how the other rubbers will pan out.

legendkillarV2 wrote:I would imagine Tsonga would go up against Federer given his success over Federer at RG this year.

Can't think how the other rubbers will pan out.

Think that was last year? Gulbis beat him in five this year, IIRC.

But your point stands, Tsonga is the big threat to Federer. Looking at the matchups though, it could turn out to be a poor decision by the French to go with clay. Surely slow HC would've been a better choice?

Silver wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:I would imagine Tsonga would go up against Federer given his success over Federer at RG this year.

Can't think how the other rubbers will pan out.

Think that was last year? Gulbis beat him in five this year, IIRC.

But your point stands, Tsonga is the big threat to Federer. Looking at the matchups though, it could turn out to be a poor decision by the French to go with clay. Surely slow HC would've been a better choice?

Good shout. Got me years mixed up.

Tsonga/Federer got to be a certainty. Maybe Monfils the other one?

I wonder who the French will pit against Stan? : chin:

IMO this tie is more down to Stan than Roger. Stan's surface is clay, for all his hard court prowess, and I think if he can win his two matches then the Swiss will win easily. Must be nice to rely on Federer to win a single match against a player he's got a hold over mentally (i.e. anyone but Tsonga).

Fed and Warwinka are good all courters, it's hard to maximise the home advantage against them.

Agree that Tsonga is France's best bet to combat Fed. He's beaten Rog five times, which is one of the better h2h records against the Swiss.
Arguably, Fed's win over JWT at the AO this year was his most important win of the season. If he'd lost that he could have dropped out of the top 10. The AO in 2013 was the highest number of points he had to defend going into 2014. He managed to get to the s-f at Melbourne this year and set himself up for a good year.

Tsonga + Monfils to start on friday
Benneteau/Gasquet on doubles
and possibly Tsonga+Gasquet on sunday is the last rumour. official announcement at lunchtime.

Seem to be conflicting reports on Fed's fitness. The Times says he was unable to practise yesterday but another report said he had a 30-minute hit.

he trained 30 minutes yesterday and 45 minutes this morning

Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France
R1 J. TSONGA vS. WAWRINKA

R2 G. MONFILS vR. FEDERER

R3 J. BENNETEAU R. GASQUET v M. CHIUDINELLI M. LAMMER

R4 J. TSONGA vR. FEDERER

R5 G. MONFILS vS. WAWRINKA

What a pivotal match that first one could be. Also good to see be benneteau getting in. Hopeful gasquet can fill r-v's shoes

The doubles also looks very different now. The Swiss night have to win 3-4 singles now

Singles will be won by Stan/Fed I'm guessing (pending their mental/health state), doubles quite hard.

R3 is a sacrifice. R4 is more than likely where the Tie will be decided (for either side) with a dead R5.

Has Simon withdrawn? I didn't think Benny was in the original line up?

Would've put Gassy against Wawrinka on day 1 and then have Tsonga for the doubles and 3rd day rubbers.

LKV. There's no doubting Gasquet's skill but it's the other qualities that sometimes can be lacking (heart, guts, fight). Fed v Tsonga looks the key match.

Gasquet has a stellar record of losing from two sets up, though, LK.

He does, but given their H2H which I think is 1-1 what is there to lose?

The doubles is the key for me.

Luthi has decided to sacrifice the Doubles anyway, and is relying on Singles wins alone to get at the trophy. It will be clear on Sunday evening if the gamble paid off or not. he knows his players very well.

My reservations are more towards Clement and his choices. Monfils can backfire and lose his two rubbers. He may be athletic, but what is between the ears makes a significant difference.
Federer has the experience to tackle such athleticism, the last USO being an example.

History is being made either way, no matter who wins.

That's speculation

Joking aside. I think it's ballsy to rely on the singles. Especially with a half fit player at this stage.

Either way history beckons!

I know Switzerland have never won it but where does the history come in for France?

Can't believe Wawrinka has only played Tsonga 5 times and Monfils 4 times.

Pretty audacious decision to sacrifice the doubles rubber in a DC final, but then I guess Luthi doesn't really have much choice. To be fair, that doubles pairing did win against Serbia back in the first World Group match!

Stan's going to make or break this tie for the Swiss.

FRA won in 2001.

Ironically, Tennis Channel (US) is showing the 2003 SUI v AUS (Day 3 Rubber 4) Federer v Hewitt as a DC Classic, a 5-set loss from being up two sets up.

laverfan wrote:FRA won in 2001.

and in 1991 , against a vintage US team (Sampras+Agassi)

Fed looks horrible in the practice clips... completely stiff and just arming his shots during an extremely light hit. Lots of tension in his body and face.

It's all on Stan now.

TRuffin wrote:Fed looks horrible in the practice clips... completely stiff and just arming his shots during an extremely light hit.  Lots of tension in his body and face.    

It's all on Stan now.

Fed should just pull out. I don't think he'll beat Tsonga or Monfils with a bad back and he's had next to no practice on the clay.

Worst still, this could bugger up his back for 2015. It's just a DC, jeez, the Berdych's and Tipsaveric's have tons of them. He should preserve himself and get fit for 2015.

Could he pull out after one match? Would the Swiss be allowed to call up a reserve (not that they have much strength to call upon)? or would one of the doubles guys have to play a singles rubber?

Anyway, I suspect Fed will give it a go in the first match and take it from there.

Going for a vacation, so please root for Fed on my behalf too.

Though I am mostly hoping he can get his back back in shape for the AO - skipping that silly Indian exho and - if need be - DC also.

And Stan in great shape in this match beginning against Tsonga: serving well, pushing hard, and that backhand is stellar . Not leaving much room for JWT...
6-1 first set...

Gosh 6-1. Wonder if France have made the same mistake as the Swiss themselves did when they opted to play on indoor clay at home to the USA and promptly lost, with Isner beating Fed in his own backyard. Still, long way to go yet.

Are there some knowledgeable members around to write about the impact of indoor clay, and newly set clay, vs the more traditional outdoors all-year courts, and that new clay might evolve in the coming days? (faster, slower?)
I hadn't seen Stan play in a while, and his BH is so impressive!
Better energy from Tsonga now, hitting harder, more agression - 2-1 in the second

and an amazing drop shot from Tsonga, following good saves on smashes from Stan!

Slices are bouncing so low on that court - Fed might just do slices again and again against Monfils, keeping some energy

biugo, you did not see Stan-Fed?

Fed could not see half of Stans shots, ballistic rockets FH and BH equal.

Stanimal!!

much better from Tsonga, conversely Stan missing a bit more, and a rather silly DF on BP. Tsonga now leads 4-1 in set 2...

I could only follow commentary I wish I saw that match, I love seeing player reaching the stellar level we all know they have in them, even more so when the opposition keeps the level up too! And I especially love when they find impossible angles and bring crazy variety in a single point!
FRA 1-6 4-2 SWI

JWT levels it at one set all.

Stan taking the third despite a good last game defence from Jo 2-1

Stan now 2-0 up in the fourth