Davis Cup 2019

Ok, I know this forum is struggling but amazing that the new format Davis Cup has started, with GB and most of the top players in action, and there isn’t even a thread!

Excellent win for Murray earlier over an inspired opponent. Sadly Evans then lost from a set and 5-3 up so all resting on the doubles now.

Very exciting first rubber for GB, with the GB doubles pair fighting back in the second set to win in straight sets.

Formula change to best of three tiebreak sets is an improvement, but scheduling all over the place, with GB not playing until Wednesday and then having all their matches crammed into the last days .

They are at it again today, taking on Kazakhstan, with a win guaranteeing a q-f place and even a 2-1 defeat possibly ensuring a "fastest loser" place.

Murray apparently exhausted after his fightback win (4-1 down in final set and then 4-1 down in tiebreak). Wonder if Kyle will pay instead today.

Unsurprisingly after his heroics yesterday, Murray has been replaced today by Edmund.

Spain, Australia and Canada are so far thru to the quarters. GB will probably face Germany if they get thru today.

Edmund had a good 3 and 3 win but Evans lost after being a set up for the second day running.

Doubles will now decide the whole thing, with GB 5-1 up in first set as I write.

Think if GB get thru that Evans will be dropped for the q-f. Murray will have had a day off and Edmund played well today by all accounts.

GB win the doubles to pass into the q-fs. Straight sets, too.

Think it will be Murray and Edmund in the singles for the q-f. GB had perhaps more trouble than they anticipated in their group. But Kazak had two reasonably highly-ranked guys and Murray's Dutch opponent was mighty impressive.

On paper, Kazakhstan were fairly even for singles, so I don’t think today was tougher than expected, without Murray. Yesterday was though - both the Dutch singles players did really well.

Full QF are:

Serbia v Russia
Australia v Canada
GB v Germany
Spain v Argentina

Australia v Canada is this evening’s match. Most matches look relatively tough to call, although Spain should be too strong for Argentina.

Kyrgios pulled out injured and Australia went down to Canada in the q-f.

Crazy scheduling meant one match this week finished at 4.04am. I quite like this format, but they have to get the scheduling sorted (earlier starts, more courts, longer tournament?).

GB thru' to the s-fs where they will meet.....Spain.

Excellent straight sets win by Edmund and then Evans beat Struff in three to make it 2-0 to GB

Evans for the third match running was a set up and was up against it in the third set but held firm to come thru in the tiebreak.

Wonder if we'll see Murray back today. He was apparently sluggish in his only match so far and has admitted he's overweight.

The good news is that GB have qualified for the Davis Cup end-of-season finals for 2020.

Well GB have already exceeded what I expected from them here. Anything else now is a bonus. A chance for Edmund to get some wins under his belt and boost confidence and Evans tested to the full. Credit to Leon Smith for sticking with Evans. As for will Murray be selected today? A tough one. If not fit is a match against Nadal what he needs or what GB need? I have my doubts. There again he probably stands a better chance winning against Nadal than Edmund or Evans. I will leave it up to Leon Smith.

Team GB unchanged for this evening's semi. Edmund and Evans in the Singles and if needed Skupski and Murray in the Doubles.

Excellent performance - again - from Edmund One - nil

Nasal will surely beat Evans but it will be all to play for in the doubles...

alfie wrote:Excellent performance - again - from Edmund   One - nil

Nasal will surely beat Evans but it will be all to play for in the doubles...

Yes a solid win that. Played Feliciano (or is it Deliciano) Lopez who was a last minute replacement for Carreno Busta who took unwell just before the match. Relieves the pressure a bit on Evans for his match against Nadal knowing the match is not all about that match.

Evans was never going to beat Nadal. As you said Craig, Edmund took the pressure off him.

I feel like Murray replaces Evans if we make the final though.

Evans shared the first four games and then lost the last eight. But doubt anyone's surprised.

If this was anyone other than Spain playing at home you would have to say GB were firm favourites in the doubles. I still think GB will get thru to the final, but it may be tough.

Surely Nadal is in the doubles for Spain, like yesterday

sirfredperry wrote:Evans shared the first four games and then lost the last eight. But doubt anyone's surprised.

If this was anyone other than Spain playing at home you would have to say GB were firm favourites in the doubles. I still think GB will get thru to the final, but it may be tough.

I’d expect Nadal/Granollers to be too strong in all honesty. Rafa is a far better doubles player than might be expected and it’s a big ask of Skupski to handle this atmosphere.

Nadal and Lopez for Spain

I do wonder if we should have gone with Murray/Murray

Brilliant match so far. Looks like a second tiebreak coming up.

So what's everyone's verdict on this revamped Davis Cup? I was v sceptical about the changes (think they should have kept it as it was but run it every 2 years instead) and feared the worst when I saw defending champions Croatia didn't have Cilic or Coric playing.

However, from what I've read it looks like the new format appears to be working and has served up some good matches. Nadal and Murray in action (though in different matches) in semi-final is pretty good sign.

Has BBC been showing any of it or do you need Amazon or Eurosport?

It’s a much better format in my view and the tennis in the last couple of days has been phenomenal.

Spain through. Hard luck for the British pair, who were probably the better pair, but lose 67 67. Outstanding from Rafa.

Skupski played well but I think it was the wrong choice to leave Andy Murray out of the whole semi final. Evans hasnt been in great form and as soon as Nadal was confirmed for the doubles I'd have put the Murray's together to counter Nadal

Really thought GB would win the doubles. But Spain at home, with Rafa playing, was always going to be difficult.

Nothing wrong with the format - just the scheduling. GB didn't play until Wednesday and then had to play every day. Matches need to start earlier.

A spirited effort by GB against one of the powerhouses of world tennis on their own soil.

I too was very sceptical about the new format but I think it works. Its better having all the teams together at one venue for the tournament - it sort of makes if feel more inclusive and brings more interest on each tie.. I do agree the scheduling needs work and maybe even stretched to a two week tournament but I can't see how they'd work that into the annual schedule.

They wouldn't need to make it a 2 week event. Just start it 2 days earlier. Minor tweaks.

Long long time since I posted about tennis...just wanted to say hi, hope everyone is well and great news for Rafa & Spain today (yes still a Rafa fan...).
Cheers
Lydian

lydian wrote:Long long time since I posted about tennis...just wanted to say hi, hope everyone is well and great news for Rafa & Spain today (yes still a Rafa fan...).
Cheers
Lydian

Good to hear from you. How long can Rafa stay number one? Will be posting a predictions-for-2020 topic soon, so please contribute.

Almost fated that Spain would win the new-look Davis Cup but I wonder what would have happened if GB had managed to get one of those set points in the second-set tiebreak in the semis.

Yes I liked the new format...agree a couple more days would be a good tweak to make it fairer to all.
Spain good value for their win: Nadal superb. GB should be pretty happy with their effort , especially with AM taking only a minor part. As should Canada - not a traditional tennis powerhouse !

Presume the venue will be shared around but not sure what the plans are ?