Why can't Richard play like this on the ATP circuit more often!! Letting loose on both BH and FH. You could tell he had no pressure on him, just playing his game!! Great 3 day for Richard and France!! Allez!!
He still lost his service game in the beginning of the match vs Weintraub, like he lost his first service game against Sela.
Am I into a false impression due to the fact that Richard is my favorite player and that I follow his result more than the other players results, but I feel that Richard is always tight in the beginning of a match and that it's kind of unusual to regulary lose his serve early in the matches or in the sets like that.
It's ok against players like Weintraub or Sela, it's even ok against an 31 years old and tired Davydenko, but vs the top 10, if he doesn't learn to be clutch from the first point, he will just give himself an unnecessary handicap.
It's a good decision for the long run that Gasquet isn't playing. He needs to rest the ankle and the season is only 1/3 completed. Also changing surface to the Clay may have been too much for the ankle at this short time. I remember in 2011 when he played the dead rubber against Verdasco and did more damage to his injury. Allez France!!
It's a good decision for the long run that Gasquet isn't playing. He needs to rest the ankle and the season is only 1/3 completed. Also changing surface to the Clay may have been too much for the ankle at this short time. I remember in 2011 when he played the dead rubber against Verdasco and did more damage to his injury.
Exactly, I still can't forgive Forget for this, it cost him the rest of the season. There is no need to aggravate things. I have predicted it this morning on the Simon-thread already, it was suspicious that Richard hardly practised in Buenos Aires, even if all practises were impeded by the rain, he was on court much less than the other guys. Get well, Richard for Monte Carlo, I am looking forward to meeting you there.
oh yes, both of them. Forget sent Richard into tough DC-battles at a very young age and always expected him to deliver, he forced him into a role of "leader" which is just not Richard's personality. Besides, he also expected a type of game, more close to his own, when he was in his prime and which is not adequate anymore. And with Simon he did exactly the same, not to mention Forgets's great decision to send Llodra against Troicki an a medium hard court and his exaggerated emphasis on the doubles. I am really happy that he is gone.
I don't know, but you just gave me huge shock as the 1st post of this thread said that Richard, Jo, Benneteau and Llodra had been selected - it took me a moment to realise that that was against Israel! :lol: PHEW!
Jo going out today suggests to me he'll definitely be included (unless there's some injury problem we don't know about.) I was worried he might skip DC if he had a really deep run at AO.
I don't think Gilles will be asked to play - he's injured and really took the brunt in Argentina.
If I was Clement, (and if Gael is still fit...) I'd probably choose Gael over Richard - for his big personality to face the cocky Aussies, and because (apart from his Nadal match - when Nadal was immense) he's shown really great form so far this year.
My choice: Richard, Gael, Tsonga and Benneteau , this allows for all kind of doubles combinations and surprises on the last day, if there is need. In fact, anyone, but Llodra, he can only play doubles, he is hopeless on clay. And for once, I want the Franech to win three singles matches and not put up a team around the doubles.
Clement says that with this selection he has three options for doubles Jo-Bennet; Jo-Richard and Bennet-Richard. He says Gilles is the fifth and can enter the team if there are injuries problems during the preparation. He thinks Gael can play on friday or on sunday. The week of preparation will be important to decide who will play the friday.
I'm hoping he does even more as Eurosport are broadcasting the tie live on TV.
I think Monfils will defiantly play the singles, Jo and Richard are better doubles player than him and can't see Gael playing the doubles, so that leaves them 2 for the last place. I hope Richard gets picked, it would show good faith from Clement!! Then again, we all want France through to the QF come Sunday!
Davis Cup is going to be interesting with Fed playing for Switzerland and Spain and Serbia posting significantly weaker line-ups; as wel, Argentina hurt by Nalbandian's retirement and Del Potro still not playing (afaik).
^^ It seems that both Haas and Kohli are of questionable health. The odds reflect the same. Spain are sceond favourites to win DC 2014(after Switzerland's odds just plummeted after the Federer news). France is 3rd ahead of Czech.
Richard will play 1st against Kyrgios - bit surprised at Gael in the doubles though.
Davis Cup @DavisCup 2 mins
FRA v AUS draw: Gasquet v Kyrgios, Tsonga v Hewitt; Benneteau/Monfils v Guccione/Hewitt; Gasquet v Hewitt, Tsonga v Kyrgios
I think we will see another doubles combination on Saturday. Too bad that Richard is the first match, I won't be able to watch, too early in the day for me being at home.
Article from L'Equipe with quotes from Jo and Richard. Both are expecting very tough matches and both are prepared to play 3 days, if needed. Jo talks about how they all talked and agreed they will do everything they can and make sacrifices to try to win the Davis Cup. Richard is very complimentary about Kyrgios - saying he's big, has a big serve and forehand, and that he has a bright future as he's one of the most talented players coming through. Richard says it's up to him to win the 1st point for the team.
Kyrgios really going for his shots and it's working for him. TB was much closer than the score suggests. Richard lost a mini with a bad FH UE. He played well in the TB after that. Got it back the very next point when Kyrgios hits a BH long trying to go for a winner. BH DTL winner to get the mini. 2 good FH's from Richie in next 2 points to set up 3 SP.
Kyrgios really going for his shots and it's working for him. TB was much closer than the score suggests. Richard lost a mini with a bad FH UE. He played well in the TB after that. Got it back the very next point when Kyrgios hits a BH long trying to go for a winner. FH DTL winner to get the mini. 2 good FH's from Richie in next 2 points to set up 3 SP.
Yep - really impressed with Richard in that tie break after the mini break. Fantastic BH DTL winner also. Kyrgios hit a super lob early in it too - he's got touch and feel as well as aggressive power.
But Richard was really in control today, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 2 hours. Very happy with that. Question marks over Kyrgios's fitness - he had a medical time out for his elbow/ wrist early in the 3rd set. But Richard was just too good and Kyrgios made 41 unforced errors. Particularly happy to see how easily/ well Richard held serve today - I think only facing 1 BP all match and having many service holds to love.
68% 1st serve in, won 94% of those, 10A / 1DF, 4 FH W: 17 BH W, 7/8 net points won, 4/7 BP won, 21 UE.
Very solid stats and a good win today with lots at stake. Kyrgios is a tricky opponent with a big game who keeps going for his shots. Great performance from Richard, winning that all important 1st point.
Allez!!!!
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