[Horatio Caine]

This could get VERY interesting.

Austria really ought to have clinched the tie with Marach & Peya, but good old nerves possibly got the better of them (were comfortably in control after the 3rd set).

They have two further chances to finish the tie off tomorrow, and certainly benefit from resting both Melzer and Haider-Maurer.

However, could Russia come all the way back?

A 4:45hr doubles match will be tough to recover from, but you've got to think that Tarpischev will be considering Youzhny vs. Melzer and Davydenko vs. Haider-Maurer.

Melzer's nerves often get the better of him in big matches (although sometimes you could argue that with Misha), and Youzhny has enjoyed the match-up with him. Davydenko may have faded away alarmingly over the last year or so, but surely his experience would give him a solid edge over Haider-Maurer?

Or will Tarpischev gamble on Bogomolov and/or Kunitsyn again?

What do you reckon?

[Deathless Mortal]

Apparently Youzhny has a shoulder injury so it's possible he doesn't play. Putting Bogomolov on court to play against Melzer would be signing a win for Austria, so I really don't know what will happen.
Maybe it's possible (if Youzhny's injury is serious) that Davydenko plays Melzer and then Kunitsyn plays Haider-Maurer. It's still better than having Bogomolov play.

[TBkeeper]

Please Youzhny MUST play Melzer (praying to god)
and Davydenko MUST play Haider-Maurer !

[Horatio Caine]

Originally Posted by Deathless Mortal

Apparently Youzhny has a shoulder injury so it's possible he doesn't play. Putting Bogomolov on court to play against Melzer would be signing a win for Austria, so I really don't know what will happen.
Maybe it's possible (if Youzhny's injury is serious) that Davydenko plays Melzer and then Kunitsyn plays Haider-Maurer. It's still better than having Bogomolov play.

Hmmm, it depends how bad the shoulder is? I believe he had this problem in Zagreb as well, and he still managed to win the singles and do well in doubles.

The Russians' serving was very accurate today, so maybe he was serving with less pace because of the injury? Maybe someone who was watching would be able to tell us.

But, yes, Bogomolov really shouldn't play tomorrow.

Your suggestion of Davydenko and Kunitysn is very good...I had completely overlooked that. Davydenko would need to play one of his better matches, but if he doesn't throw in tonnes of stupid errors he might let Melzer beat himself. He is still quite fit physically, so he would perhaps recover better (than Youzhny) from the epic doubles match.

Kunitsyn could be a pest for Haider-Maurer...I could see that becoming a VERY nervy match from both.

[Ash86]

Austria may regret throwing away their chances today definitely... I'm sure Spain were hoping for them to win too as it'd be a tie at home vs Austria - very winnable or away against Russia - much tougher on indoor hard. Difficult to call now - as it's best of 5 you have to think the rest that Melzer has had will give him a slight edge tomorrow but Youzhny's the better player... As for Davydenko vs Haider-Maurer ordinarily you'd not think the result was in doubt but these days Davy is a mess and who knows...

Potentially the most exciting tie on Sunday (along with France-Canada).

[Deathless Mortal]

Originally Posted by Horatio Caine

Hmmm, it depends how bad the shoulder is? I believe he had this problem in Zagreb as well, and he still managed to win the singles and do well in doubles.

The Russians' serving was very accurate today, so maybe he was serving with less pace because of the injury? Maybe someone who was watching would be able to tell us.

But, yes, Bogomolov really shouldn't play tomorrow.

Your suggestion of Davydenko and Kunitysn is very good...I had completely overlooked that. Davydenko would need to play one of his better matches, but if he doesn't throw in tonnes of stupid errors he might let Melzer beat himself. He is still quite fit physically, so he would perhaps recover better (than Youzhny) from the epic doubles match.

Kunitsyn could be a pest for Haider-Maurer...I could see that becoming a VERY nervy match from both.

A poster wrote about Youzhny's injury in the livescores thread, but I guess if he managed to play 5 sets today and come out as a winner, it can't be that bad. Melzer-Youzhny, when both are healthy, sounds like a very good match, so hopefully it happens. Kunitsyn vs Haider-Maurer definitely looks like a very possible 5-setter with numerous chokes and turnarounds, which would make for a great 5th rubber

[Ibracadabra]

I have money on austria, so russia wins.

[djokovicgonzalez]

if youzhny vs melzer and davy vs ahm, this is still alive

[Andre♥]

Considering the length of the doubles match, I would give the edge to Melzer against any Russian really.

And there's obviously something wrong with Youzhny. No way he wouldn't have played singles on Friday if he wasn't injured.

By the way, I can totally see Haider-Maurer beating Davydenko in a live 5th rubber.

[gulzhan]

I think Davydenko will play against Melzer and he should win. Then, it all depends on Youzhny, it's totally his call if he plays the 5th rubber or not. Can Tarpishev replace Bogomolov with Davydenko and after the match decide to replace Kunitzyn with Youzhny? That'd be the best scenario in my opinion.

[Henry Chinaski]

Originally Posted by gulzhan

I think Davydenko will play against Melzer and he should win. Then, it all depends on Youzhny, it's totally his call if he plays the 5th rubber or not. Can Tarpishev replace Bogomolov with Davydenko and after the match decide to replace Kunitzyn with Youzhny? That'd be the best scenario in my opinion.

rules say the number ones meet each other in third singles match as far as I know, unless there is an injury

[156mphserve]

Originally Posted by Henry Chinaski

rules say the number ones meet each other in third singles match as far as I know, unless there is an injury

yes, but I believe that is the #1 out of the 2 players put forward on Friday, which would be Bogomolov. Since Youzhny didn't play on Friday I don believe he is allowed to be subbed in for Kunitsyn to play AHM.

Keqt...(sorry can't spell his username off the top of my head) had Youzhny vs. AHM as a possible match on the TT Schedule which he wouldn't have if it weren't possible, not sure how much he knows about the rules though.

[156mphserve]

just looked at the rules and it only says that a substitute player for the 3rd or 4th match must be one of the players nominated for the tie. It says nothing about a higher ranked player substitute having to play the 3rd singles match against the higher ranked opponent