Mens Tennis Forums banner

The Everything Davis Cup Thread (News, Articles, Live Scores)

162K views 2K replies 71 participants last post by  Armstrong2000 
#1 ·
I thought I'd start a new thread focused entirely on cheering on Australia back into the world group. They have just chosen Brisbane as the venue for our upcoming tie against Japan and its going to be played on clay! Should be interesting to see how our boys go on the dirt, obviously Luczak will feel right at home but Tomic, Ball, Gooch and co may struggle. I think Lleyton may be fit in time for the tie so the most logical team at this stage would be Hewitt and Luczak in the singles and Ball and Hanley/Gooch for the doubles.

I can't see Japan hurting us to badly especially if Rusty is fit and ready. Nishikori's elbow is still bothering him and if he somehow manages to play he will have no matchplay. Soeda is solid but I don't how he would fare on clay? May give Pete a tough match. Ito is their top ranked player at 201 but he has had a pretty poor start to the year and only just got the job done against the Phillipines, winning his last match in 5 sets. Suzuki is there darkhorse, he can still turn it on when he gets going.

Summing this up, we should progress here rather comfortably either 4-1 or 5-0 i'll predict.
 
#2 ·
Yeah the team will be Hewitt, Luczak, Ball and Guccione/Hanley.

Nishikori does have a win over Looch on clay but it wasn't on the red clay (im assuming that is what they are using) and Looch was struggling at the time with that injury he had. Soeda's last match and only match in the last four years on clay was a 60 61 loss to Lorenzi. Ito just got bundled out in the first round of a futures tournament. Suzuki's from is hard to read. Sugita might be another one who gets a go. Won a challenger last week and won 2 clay futures last year. He lost in straights in a clay challenger to Ignatik this week.

I can't see Japan beating the Aussies. I think it will be extremely difficult for Nishikori to be able to beat Hewitt and Luczak on the clay in best of five set matches after just coming back from injury. And Australia won't be getting beat in the doubles and I don't think Japan's number 2 will pose a threat to Hewitt and Luczak on the clay.
 
#3 ·
Re: The Everything Davis Cup Thread (News, Articles, Discussion, Live Scores)

Woodforde's thoughts about the Davis Cup:

Davis Cup champion Mark Woodforde believes Peter Luczak could fill Lleyton Hewitt's big boots and guide Australia past Japan in next month's qualifying tie in Brisbane.

Hewitt's place as Australia's No.1 singles player for the May 7-9 tie is under a cloud after he pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters this week following his return from hip surgery in Houston.

But former doubles specialist Woodforde doesn't think Australia's hopes would sink with the loss of Hewitt.

He said the left-field decision to convert Pat Rafter Arena into a clay court would ensure world No.76 Luczak was a spearhead.

"The guys would love to have Lleyton there to set them along ... but clay is not his best surface and Peter Luczak does his best work throughout the year on the clay courts," Woodforde said in Brisbane.

"And historically the Japanese are more at home on faster indoor courts and we've gone on a surface that has some favouritism to us.

"Lucz is probably quite an under-rated player full stop.

"Obviously in the past years we've had Rafter, Philippoussis, Hewitt and the Woodies and you associate No.1 in the world with those names.

"Where Lucz is about 70 in the rankings and he's no slouch, Lucz is a quality player and a serious player on the clay courts."

Luczak combined with Carsten Ball, Bernard Tomic and doubles specialist Paul Hanley to sweep aside Chinese-Taipei in the first round of their Asia-Oceania group qualifiers in March.

Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald has until April 25 to decide on his line-up for the second round, and will also run his eye over Chris Guccione, who comes back from an ankle injury in the United States next week.

Woodforde has followed in the footsteps of his former doubles partner Todd Woodbridge, the senior Davis Cup coach, by becoming Australia's Junior Davis Cup coach this year.

He will take Luke Saville, Jake Schipanski and Jay Andrijic to the qualifying tournament in Malaysia next week with a view for them to defend the nation's title in the finals in Mexico in September.
It's looking increasingly likely that Rusty won't be playing next month so what does everyone think about what are team should be and our chances. Obviously Looch is a gimme so who partners him in the singles, expecting Hewitt's withdrawal.

Tomic - Hasn't impressed on his clay matches this year falling to Lorenzi, Aldi and Becker winning only one set along the way. Still has the Rome challenger next week to impress and can lift when playing in a high atmosphere match.

Ball - Like Tomic, not the favourite surface and hasn't being active for a couple of weeks, don't know if he's injured or not. Has had his typical inconsistent season, don't know if he should get a singles spot but he will definatly play the doubles

Gooch - Unless he wins a lot of matches over the next few weeks he won't play. Lost to possible opponent Soeda 2-6 2-6 this week.

Lindahl - Has been in great form this year and qualified for numerous ATP events, and is in the QF this week in Louisiana. Qualified for Houston which is played on clay before going down to Malisse who ended up beating Isner. Could be a bolter, although hasn't proved himself in a best of 5 format except for defeating Tomic in the wildcard playoff in December.

Jones - Played really well on the challenger circuit the last 12 months and has done well to get his ranking inside the top 200. Still it's the same as Lindahl in not having experienced the 5 set format. Might have to bide his time a little longer.

If I had to choose now I'd say it would be between Tomic and Lindahl. I know Tomic has not played well on clay but I have no doubt he'll lift playing Davis Cup in his own country and I think the selectors will select him if Rusty pulls out. Lindahl should be the next in line though ahead of Ball, Gooch and Jones. Apparently Matosevic has sprained his ankle pretty badly so thats why I didn't include him in discussions.
 
#4 ·
I would have Luczak and Ball playing the doubles if Ball is in form as although he never plays on clay he has won a straight sets Davis Cup rubber against Capdeville in Chile and he did reach the semis of a G1 Junior Tournament on it. Not a lot but it shows you he can survive on it. If Ball is injured or in poor form the second spot could be anyone but if they give it to Tomic with the results he has had on clay it would be idiotic but expected.
 
#5 ·
Article from www.tennis.com.au

Davis Cup selection battle heats up

Brisbane,21 April 2010
Tennis Australia

Australia’s male tennis elite are locked into an international selection battle for next month’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie against Japan in Brisbane.

Lleyton Hewitt, Bernard Tomic, Carsten Ball and Nick Lindahl all enjoyed victories overnight, while Peter Luczak lost to a quality opponent and Chris Guccione, Dayne Kelly and Greg Jones will play tonight.

Australian Davis Cup coach Todd Woodbridge indicated that he and captain John Fitzgerald would be giving their players as much time as they can to prove their form and fitness.

“We will leave it to as late as we can to ensure we select the best team possible for the conditions and the opponent,” Woodbridge explained.

“But I have to say there are some encouraging signs from several guys and the good news for Australian tennis is that we have some very healthy competition for places.”

The team is expected to be announced early next week.

Hewitt is leading the charge in his comeback from hip surgery with the Australian number one enjoying a three set first round win on clay at the Barcelona Open, accounting for Marsel Ilhan from Turkey 6-4 4-6 6-2.

Davis Cup teammate Peter Luczak was a victim of the international air travel shutdown. He endured a 30-hour car trip to get to Barcelona before losing his first round match to talented Latvian Ernests Gulbis 7-6(4) 6-3.

Still on clay and in Europe, Gold Coast teenager Bernard Tomic made the most of his wildcard into an ITF Futures event in Italy, winning his first round against German Holger Fischer 1-6 6-2 6-4.

Carsten Ball played his first match back from illness in a Challenger event on hard court in Florida, defeating highly-fancied American Donald Young 4-6 6-1 6-4.

Nick Lindahl also won his first round at the same event against American Kevin Kim 6-3 3-6 7-6(4).

Jones, Guccione and Kelly will play their first round matches in Florida tonight.

Australia hosts Japan in their Asia/Oceania group one second round Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie 7-9 May on a specially built clay court at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.

The winner advances to the World Group Playoffs in September.

Play starts at 3pm on Friday 7 May with the gates open from 1.45pm. Play starts 1pm Saturday and Sunday with the gates opening at noon.
 
#6 ·
#7 ·
Gooch/Ball lost their first round match in Tallahassee. Seems as though Hewitt, Luczak and Ball are certainties with that last doubles spot the only one raising questions. Should they go with Gooch, Hanley or someone else?
 
#8 ·
Japanese Team is Soeda, T.Ito, Sugita and Suzuki
 
#9 ·
Here's an article on it:

Japan's hottest tennis prospect, Kei Nishikori, will skip the Davis Cup tie against Australia in Brisbane next month as he has not fully recovered from injury, the national tennis association said Monday.

The 20 year old, who returned to competition in February after an 11-month lay-off, is instead preparing to take part in the French Open around two weeks later.

The Japan Tennis Association, in announcing the squad against Australia, said it had passed over Nishikori as "his recovery is not complete".

Nishikori said on his website last week he would compete in the French Open after two claycourt events in the United States in the coming weeks.

The player, after reaching his personal best 56th spot in the world rankings in February last year, suffered a stress fracture a month later. He underwent surgery in August and resumed training in late October.

The Japan squad against Australia includes Go Soeda, Yuichi Sugita, Tatsuma Ito and Takao Suzuki, whose world rankings are 184th, 200th, 256th and 315th respectively.

Japan beat the Philippines 5-0 in the first round.

Australia's team will be announced on Tuesday with former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt expected to be included.

Australia last met Japan in 1996, winning 4-1 and lead Japan 14-2 in the Davis Cup, having won their past six encounters.

The winners of the May 7–9 Davis Cup Asia–Oceania second-round tie in Brisbane, to be played on a purpose-built clay court, will advance to the World Group promotion/relegation play-offs in September.
 
#12 ·
I agree. Can't really fault it. Good selection.
 
#14 ·
Most of the zonal ties are scheduled at the same time so China are also playing Kazakhstan next week. The thing I find strange (and this is what you might be eluding to) is why are Australia and Kazakhstan scheduled to play in a week with ATP tournaments but yet when the the week in July swings around where the ATP has a week off for Davis Cup, AUS and Kazakhstan don't play a tie but the lesser Asian nations (Philippines, Korea, Taiwan and Uzbekistan) have their ties scheduled in this week. Wouldn't it make more sense to play the better teams who have more ATP players in the week with no ATP tournaments and the lesser teams who lost to AUS, KAZ, CHN and JAP on this week where the only players that will be affected by missing a week on the ATP are Lu and Istomin but not even they are regulars on the tour.

Maybe there is a reason but I can't see it.
 
#16 ·
Tomic snub as Hewitt returns
Laine Clark From: The Advertiser April 28, 2010 8:44am
Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size
Print
Email
Share
THE return of Lleyton Hewitt to the Australian Davis Cup team has coincided with the dumping of rising teenager Bernard Tomic.

But Australian captain John Fitzgerald said the pair's public spat had nothing to do with team selection for next week's Asia-Oceania second-round tie against Japan in Brisbane.

Tomic, 17, was a glaring omission when Fitzgerald yesterday named his four-man team for the crunch May 7-9 tie on a specially made clay court at Pat Rafter Arena.

After missing the last tie - a 5-0 sweep of Taiwan in Melbourne in March - Hewitt heads the team with Peter Luczak tipped to take up the No. 2 singles spot and teammates Carsten Ball and Paul Hanley contesting the doubles.

Unimpressed by what he thought was a Wimbledon practice court snub, Hewitt caused a stir in January when he deemed Tomic unworthy of Davis Cup selection. He claimed Luczak was more deserving of the second singles spot.



However, Fitzgerald said Tomic's lack of experience on clay was the reason behind his snub and not his past run-in with Hewitt.

Fitzgerald stressed that "all's good" between the pair.

"I hope one day that they can play in a Davis Cup team together," he said.

"But we've only got four players to pick and have to decide who gives us our best chance on clay now."

Asked about the spat that was reportedly only ended following mediation from tennis great Paul McNamee, Fitzgerald said: "Was it a concern? I don't know how to answer that.

"I think it is healthy that they are at a stage where they are now - it's all good."

Tomic made an impressive Davis Cup debut in Melbourne, winning both singles rubbers.

Fitzgerald said he considered Tomic "a big match player" despite his world No. 295 ranking but opted for No. 72 Luczak due to the surface in Brisbane.

"He (Tomic) was in the mix, though we agreed that it is a good time for him to learn his craft on clay in Europe," Fitzgerald said. "I think he (Tomic) is a big match player, but the surface is a major issue."

Despite Fitzgerald's reservations, Tomic won on clay in Italy, defeating Roberto Marcora in straight sets at a Futures event.

The arrival of Hewitt, 29, in Brisbane depends on how far he progresses in Rome - the world No. 32 was due to play ninth seed Mikhail Youzhny in the first round last night.

Meanwhile, Japan received a blow when hot prospect Kei Nishikori opted to focus on getting in shape for the French Open instead of playing in the tie as he eases his way back from injury.

The Japan squad includes Go Soeda, Yuichi Sugita, Tatsuma Ito and Takao Suzuki - whose world rankings are 184th, 200th, 256th and 315th respectively.

The winners of the tie will advance to the World Group playoffs in September.
:rolleyes:
 
#17 ·
So many glaring mistakes in that article, like "despite Fitzgerald's reseverations, Tomic won on clay in Italy", woah, he won a futures match, lets give the guy a spot on the team when we have a guy who ahs won manyc hallengers on clay as in Luczak.

Great team for the tie was selected, and that's even better considering of the dumb week this tie is being played. I still just can't make sense of it, can't believe Lleyton hasn't complained about it at all.
 
#18 ·
Does anyone know if channel 7 are going to show coverage? Judging on recent history I doubt it but you never know, they may make a good decision for a change.
 
#20 ·
Channel 7 has a contract that stated they only show ties that are either in world group or world group playoffs, zonal ties never get shown on channel 7. Luckily tennis.com.au will be showing a live stream again so we will get to watch it for free.

I'm going to head up there and watch it hopefully next friday, I'd love to watch Lleyton playing Davis Cup before it's too late. The boys will get the job done though, Nishikori is not playing and Lleyton will really step it up and make sure we get through to the playoff. Would be pretty amazing if we got another home tie for the playoffs, guess Sydney is next for hosting rights.
 
#22 ·
:eek: Ball to play second rubber on clay ahead of Luczak. Must mean Ball is switched on this week. Luczak hasn't been in amazing form but he also hasn't been in horrible form.

Tennis Australia might also be confident of winning the tie and keen to give a guy experience like Tomic against Taiwan or Klein against Thailand but Ball already has DC experience.
 
#24 ·
Here's more from TA website:

Ball takes second singles spot
Brisbane, 06 May 2010
AAP

Big-serving Carsten Ball has surprisingly been given a singles nod ahead of Peter Luczak for Australia's Davis Cup clash with Japan in Brisbane starting on Friday.

The seasoned Luczak, ranked more than 40 places higher than Ball at No.71, had been tipped to join Lleyton Hewitt as the singles players for the Asia-Oceania second round tie on clay at Pat Rafter Arena.

But Australian captain John Fitzgerald unveiled 22-year-old lefthander Ball as his second singles option in a move that clearly surprised the Japanese team.

While Luczak has reportedly been nursing a wrist injury, Fitzgerald said match-ups were the main reason behind his decision.

"We like the match-ups we have and it is time for Carsten to step up and go to the next level," Fitzgerald said.

"This is his first live singles rubber and we think he is ready.

"And Lleyton is leading off which always take more pressure off, but I think it is Carsten's time."

Fitzgerald said Luczak had a "niggle" a few days ago but would be ready to play the reverse singles on Sunday if needed.

The draw conducted on Thursday sees Hewitt begin the tie against Tatsuma Ito on Friday while Ball plays Yuichi Sugita.

Ball has also been chosen to partner Paul Hanley in the doubles against Takao Suzuki and Go Soeda on Saturday.

Davis Cup draw: Australia v Japan, Brisbane

Day 1

Rubber 1
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v Tatsuma Ito (JAP)
Rubber 2
Carsten Ball (AUS) v Yuichi Sugita (JAP)

Day 2

Rubber 3
Paul Hanley/Carsten Ball (AUS) v Takao Suzuki/Go Soeda (JAP)

Day 3

Rubber 4
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v Yuichi Sugita (JAP)
Rubber 5
Carsten Ball (AUS) v Tatsuma Ito (JAP)
http://www.tennis.com.au/pages/News.aspx?id=4&pageId=11499&HandlerId=2&archive=false&newsid=7089
 
#26 ·
Pete might be annoyed that he has travelled all the way from Europe, bypassed Munich and now gets snubbed for Ball. Lets see how this plays out....
 
#27 ·
Hewitt has just beaten Ito in the first rubber. The score was 6-3 6-3 6-2, very good got 8 aces. Next up Ball against Sugita he should win in 3 or 4 sets.
 
#28 ·
Yeah as expected Rusty comes through in 3 comfortable sets, he did what he had to do. Now comes the interesting match with Ball and Sugita. Carsten should win this but you never know what form he will bring into the match. Let's go Carston and put us up 2-0!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top