[August]

Originally Posted by motorhead

in case spain will play singles with Ferrer and Almagro then the fourth/fifth rubber would be Berdych-Ferrer as they are the highest ranked for their nations right? this scenario can be very dangerous for Berdych as I would play against Ferrer after having to play rubber1 and doubles... yes would be favourite but I wouldn't right off a possible Ferrer win over him.

When I was thinking about DelPo's withdrawal, I though about possibilities to affect the OOP. Think about this: Czechs name Sexy/Rosol and Minar as their singles player, just to substitute Minar with Berdy, then OOP is as follows:

Rubber 1 or 2: Sexy/Rosol v. Almagro/?
Rubber 2 or 1: Minar (subst. to Berdy) v. Ferrer
Rubber 3: Doubles
Rubber 4: Sexy/Rosol v. Ferrer
Rubber 5: Berdy v. Almagro/?

That'd mean Minar couldn't then be used to replace anybody later in the tie. Am I strategically wise or just a very bad guy?

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by August

When I was thinking about DelPo's withdrawal, I though about possibilities to affect the OOP. Think about this: Czechs name Sexy/Rosol and Minar as their singles player, just to substitute Minar with Berdy, then OOP is as follows:

Rubber 1 or 2: Sexy/Rosol v. Almagro/?
Rubber 2 or 1: Minar (subst. to Berdy) v. Ferrer
Rubber 3: Doubles
Rubber 4: Sexy/Rosol v. Ferrer
Rubber 5: Berdy v. Almagro/?

That'd mean Minar couldn't then be used to replace anybody later in the tie. Am I strategically wise or just a very bad guy?

I didn't think about this trick but I would definitely follow this strategy if I were the czech team. this would boost their chances by a great deal imho.

[Allez]

If Rafa plays it is a no contest situation. If he doesn't the hosts will have a shot even if it's a slim chance. Berdych will have to play the 3 biggest matches of his DC life for them to win. Won't matter if Rafa decides to play though. Routine win for Spain.

[August]

Originally Posted by motorhead

I didn't think about this trick but I would definitely follow this strategy if I were the czech team. this would boost their chances by a great deal imho.

I don't know if any captain has used that strategy.

[Johnny Groove]

I think it is a 1% chance that Rafa will play.

Realistically, it could go either way.

Ferrer vs. Stepanek and Almagro vs. Berdych on Day 1, can easily see a 1-1 split going into the doubles, which will, as always, be the key point.

No Nadal, this tie is a toss up. If Nadal plays, Stepanek will sit and Rosol will play. But nothing would be better than a live 5th rubber, Nadal vs. Rosol.

[Sanya]

Yep, it won`t be bad if Rafa is allowed to play 5th rubber.

[Corey Feldman]

if Nadull plays who is to say he will play well?

after 6 months out and on his worst surface?

remember how much he struggled after missing Wimbledon 09

but Berdy would still find a way to lose v that Nadal - just like Tsonga did in 2009 Paris Bercy

[Johnny Groove]

Originally Posted by Corey Feldman

if Nadull plays who is to say he will play well?

after 6 months out and on his worst surface?

remember how much he struggled after missing Wimbledon 09

but Berdy would still find a way to lose v that Nadal - just like Tsonga did in 2009 Paris Bercy

You mean Almagro in 2009 Bercy?

If Nadal is going to come back, he is going to come back at the WTF and the Davis Cup, or not at all. Still I don't expect to see him until Doha.

[Mark Lenders]

If Nadal doesn't play, Czech Republic will win as Berdych will beat both Ferrer and Almagro and Berdych/Stepanek will win the doubles.

If Nadal plays, Spain will win as Rafa will beat both Berdych and Stepanek. Rafa's presence will decide this tie imo.

[August]

Originally Posted by Sanya

Yep, it won`t be bad if Rafa is allowed to play 5th rubber.

Well, that'd almost require Ferrer going past Rafa in ranking, as long as Rafa is Spain's No1, he'd play in 4th rubber. Or he'd be Spain's "4th player" that they'd substitute to 5th rubber and he wouldn't play in Friday. But I don't see that happening. Spain's team will have Ferrer and and Almagro/F. Lopez. M. Lopez will surely play in doubles, so Rafa should take the place of Granollers when either Ferru or Almagro/Feli would partner M-Lop in doubles.

[Sanya]

Originally Posted by August

Well, that'd almost require Ferrer going past Rafa in ranking, as long as Rafa is Spain's No1, he'd play in 4th rubber. Or he'd be Spain's "4th player" that they'd substitute to 5th rubber and he wouldn't play in Friday. But I don't see that happening. Spain's team will have Ferrer and and Almagro/F. Lopez. M. Lopez will surely play in doubles, so Rafa should take the place of Granollers when either Ferru or Almagro/Feli would partner M-Lop in doubles.

I know, that was a joke exactly due to this reason.

[Chase Visa]

Depends on whether Nadal plays.

[August]

I think this will be decided on whether Rafa plays or not. I must hope Mr Inconsistency Berydych manages to play his best tennis for three days, he is able to beat Ferrer and Almagro/F.Lopez or not-100% Rafa. But if 100% Rafa played, I think he'd beat Berdy even on fast indoor court. But Berdy can bring only two points for Czechs from singles. Berdy/Secy have played well in doubles but one must not forget that M.Lopez/Granollers, especially Lopez, is a great doubles team. I'd say Berdy/Sexy would be slight favourites, but only slight. But Berdy's two matches and doubles can't bring Czechs three points, where could they get the third? If Rafa plays, it'd be quite difficult to imagine Rosol/Stepanek beating 100% Rafa, maybe hot Rosol could do it. And I don't think beating non-100% Rafa would be easy for them. And I wouldn't say Sexy or Rosol would be favourite in a match against Ferrer or Almagro/F.Lopez. If Berdy comes with two singles wins and doubles win, then Czechs won, otherwise it's a wonder if they won.

[Johnny Groove]

I'd like to see Rosol show some form this fall, get that ranking up and try and get the 2nd singles spot. Surely his ceiling of play is above Stepanek's.

[Corey Feldman]

Originally Posted by Johnny Groove

You mean Almagro in 2009 Bercy?

Nah, Tsonga lost to Nadal in 2009 Bercy QF

of course Magro match was pathetic but you expect that when its Almagro involved v Nadal