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.
 
#279 ·
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-...-not-a-distraction-rafter-20120331-1w4vz.html

Tomic dispute not a distraction: Rafter

The latest Bernard Tomic controversy appeared to be the last thing on Patrick Rafter's mind ahead of Australia's Davis Cup playoff with South Korea in Brisbane.

The Australian captain is sweating on the fitness of the big-serving Chris Guccione (foot) ahead of the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I second-round tie starting on Friday.

Then there's the dilemma of choosing between fast improvers Matt Ebden and Marinko Matosevic for his second singles berth behind world No.37 Tomic.

Advertisement: Story continues below
But Rafter said he would not waste time worrying about Tomic's "head space" until the lanky 19-year-old arrived in Brisbane early next week.

Tomic appeared to have a very public fallout with his father - and coach - John at last week's Miami Masters.

During the teenager's loss to David Ferrer he asked the chair umpire to have his father removed from the courtside seating because he was "annoying" him.

"Is it a distraction? I guess only time will tell but I don't think so," Rafter said of the Tomic incident.

"Bernie is not here yet so I don't know where his head space is right now.

"Until he shows up and we have a good chat (I won't know), but I am predicting there won't be."

Rafter had more pressing matters to tackle.

Likely doubles player Guccione was a notable absentee at team practice on Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday after suffering a toe injury.

Rafter said Guccione's availability should be determined by Sunday.

He also faces a welcome headache - picking his No.2 singles player.

World No.78 Ebden and No.122 Matosevic will keep Rafter honest thanks to recent form.

Ebden downed accomplished players in Julien Benneteau and eighth seed Mardy Fish in reaching the Indian Wells Masters quarter-finals this month.

But Matosevic won seven straight matches from qualifying to reach the Delray Beach final and he also got through qualifying at the Indian Wells Masters this month.

"On ranking, Matt is probably the player but I like having three solid singles players in form (fighting for spots at training)," Rafter said.

A singles spot is open for Australia after Lleyton Hewitt underwent toe surgery, ensuring he will be out of action until the lead-up to Wimbledon in June.

But he has been making his presence felt at practice in Brisbane, offering advice garnered from 32 Cup ties - equal to Todd Woodbridge's record for most by an Australian.

"He is trying to get this one knocked off as No.33 so he can have the record," Rafter laughed.

"We are trying to build up team unity at the moment, and for him to come along at this time is special for us."

World No.31 South Korea last played 18th-ranked Australia in 1972 - and lost 5-0.
 
#302 ·
if Australia doesn´t play Switzerland then they should do well and advance to the World Group in my opinion.... there should by some trouble only with Germany and Russia if I don´t count Switzerland...

btw. congratz on winning the tie against South Korea!
 
#305 ·
Will be a tough one yet again, especially if they decide to put it on clay. Hopefully Bernie can make some inroads on the surface this upcoming swing.
 
#306 ·
We will play on clay, that's for sure. When we choose clay against Argentina we also will against Australia.
I think it's a tough draw for both. The Aussies have to play away which is always a disadvantage of course plus it will be on clay because we have some decent clay courters unlike Sweden (who have nobody on any surface though atm) or Israel (don't know if you would've had to play away) for example.
For Germany it's a tough draw simply because we were seeded. We could have also had a home tie versus Chile or Uzbekistan for example.
 
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