[Gonzil]

Wow, wow, wow! Who would have thought at the beginning of this year that Vasek, ranked 339, would be our main man getting us into the World Group.

Since that disastrous 1st rubber loss in Ecuador, Vasek has won 5 rubbers.

This win will also do wonders for our DC ranking as you get bonus points for beating a higher ranked team AND for an away win.

[2eazy]

Originally Posted by Snowwy

Peter beats PLD 99 out of 100 times. THey are in different leagues.

come on now

[FormerRafaFan]

Originally Posted by Snowwy

Peter beats PLD 99 out of 100 times. THey are in different leagues.

[Snowwy]

Originally Posted by 2eazy

come on now

Peter is 2-0, neither was close and its a good matchup for Peter. But 99 might be unfair, maybe 90-95 times out of 100.

[Gonzil]

I think you can certainly make a case for asking Chvojka or PLD in place of Polansky, but really I doubt either of them would have been a lot of help, in a debut DC appearance, playing a 5-setter (have either of them ever done so previously?) And in terms of team dynamics, having someone who is a previous DC team member might be more useful in the preparation phase.

Stephanie Myles is pushing the line that they should have swallowed their pride and invited Frank. While I don't at all like the way that they have dealt with Frank, I think she is forgetting Frank's recent experience with 5 set matches - notably his last 2 Davis Cup 5-setters - Ecuador and particularly Mexico, and the Wimbledon fiasco. Would any of us want our fortunes depending on Frank winning a 5-setter?

[156mphserve]

based on the current DC rankings(which based on results I don't expect the top 8 to change at all, though I don't know the DC ranking system at all) I think Russia would be Canada's best draw by far. Then probably Germany. The other 6 teams would be really tough imo.

A match against Spain would be at Home
If we were to get Sweden or Austria(won't be possible in round 1 I don't think) it'd be away
Any other match would be random.

order of preference...

1. Russia
2. Germany
3. Czech Republic
4. Argentina
5. France
6. USA
7. Serbia
8. Spain

[FormerRafaFan]

Does anyone have a link to a video of the match today? can't find it anywhere..

[ibreak4coffee]

It is absolutely HILARIOUS that PLD is being put in the same league as Peter for this type of situation

[nellis_lv]

Originally Posted by 156mphserve

based on the current DC rankings(which based on results I don't expect the top 8 to change at all, though I don't know the DC ranking system at all) I think Russia would be Canada's best draw by far. Then probably Germany. The other 6 teams would be really tough imo.

A match against Spain would be at Home
If we were to get Sweden or Austria(won't be possible in round 1 I don't think) it'd be away
Any other match would be random.

order of preference...

1. Russia
2. Germany
3. Czech Republic
4. Argentina
5. France
6. USA
7. Serbia
8. Spain

I think, for the benefit of you Canadians, I'd put USA above Argentina and France on that preferred list.

France with Gasquet, Tsonga, Monfils is much more dangerous and Argentina with Delpo and Nalbandian is definitely more dangerous than the US. Plus, if Raonic is fit and plays, he's already gotten familiar with Fish and Roddick's game.

[156mphserve]

Germany has dropped from the top 8 and Croatia are in it. Pretty sure I'd just swap them in my preference list, so now Croatia is the 2nd most preferred team.

My reasoning for putting the US lower than France or Argentina was thinking about who is the home team. If we were the home team as fast hardcourt would give benefit us more than France or Argentina, whereas it'd probably be equal benefit to us and the US, plus there would be more US support if we were home against them than France or Argentina as they're our neighbours. That being said all of those thing work at our disadvantage if we aren't at home and USA would be much preferred.

Also I think against any of these teams, winning the doubles would be a key point to get, we may be able to get 2 of the singles rubbers, but probably not 3. Against the US doubles would be areal tough point to get against the Bryans, whereas it would be easier to get against France and particurally Argentina

[Gonzil]

So now we are up to #14 in the rankings - ahead of Switzerland

Nice to be here, but now I look at how the World Group works, it seems a bit daunting. We are doomed to draw a top team in round 1, so quite likely lose and then return to World Group playoffs in September.

[shuhrat]

Originally Posted by Gonzil

So now we are up to #14 in the rankings - ahead of Switzerland

Nice to be here, but now I look at how the World Group works, it seems a bit daunting. We are doomed to draw a top team in round 1, so quite likely lose and then return to World Group playoffs in September.

I see what you mean there. As a Novak fan, I felt the same way a couple of years ago. They entered WG for the first time 2007 September but had to face the defending champs in the first round and lost to them two years in a row. Last year, Serbia finally pulled off the first win in WG against USA and you know the rest story. Yeah, the format is kinda harsh for underdogs. They just need to hang in there and snatch the rare opportunities, I guess.

[FormerRafaFan]

You guys are facing France according to CBC, at home in Canada. AUCH! Tough draw for sure

[Snowwy]

Hoping they play it in Toronto so I can make the drive there.

[misty1]

definately one of the toughest draws they could have gotten

no real chance for them to advance