[Henry Chinaski]

Croatia were fined for surface speed for their tie against Brazil in 2008. That's the only recent example I can think of.

http://www.daviscup.com/en/results/t...ieId=100010749

fast surface + Wilson US Open balls + Karlovic = 11 of 18 sets going to breakers.

Spain's bitching about the surface before their match against the USA was hilarious. Especially when it turned out Verdasco was 9-1 on the same surface the previous 2 tournaments in San Jose.

[Pirata.]

Originally Posted by Henry Chinaski

Especially when it turned out Verdasco was 9-1 on the same surface the previous 2 tournaments in San Jose.

Still lost the doubles though

[Henry Chinaski]

verdasco in doubles last year was pure comedy. you could have paired him with peak J-Mac and they would have been destroyed by Xristos and Johnny Groove

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/P...=2011&m=d&e=0#

(Look at the top result. Brazil F42, wtf)

[niff]

Originally Posted by Action Jackson

Going to be held in the Czech Republic and definitely not on a slow surface. Spain have won too many times as of late, but the Czechs better hope that Stepanek or Berdych don't get hurt that they miss the final?

Good point about Czech withdrawals, I didn't think of that.....really hope they make the final!

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by niff

Good point about Czech withdrawals, I didn't think of that.....really hope they make the final!

Funny thing is while Berdych is the better player. It's Stepanek that's the leader in the team, he is their focal point in the squad through his personality that helps with Berdych and others.

Seen it before Berdych folding like a cheap tent in DC when Stepanek isn't there like when he was in dispute with the federation and against Kazakhstan. The final against Spain in Spain doesn't count since they beat up on everyone at home.

[MariaV]

Originally Posted by Action Jackson

Going to be held in the Czech Republic and definitely not on a slow surface. Spain have won too many times as of late, but the Czechs better hope that Stepanek or Berdych don't get hurt that they miss the final?

Hope the Czechs will win it for you! Just kidding, not just for you!

And I hope Rafa won't be stupid enough to try to play. But who knows.

[August]

Originally Posted by Action Jackson

It will be very fast as for the Spaniards they can bitch all they want as long as it's within ITF 24-50 scale then they have nothing to whine about.

Carpet is legal as they play tournaments on Challenger level and that classifies. So they have the option of carpet if they want.

In the regulations 38 Surface and Conditions in Note 4 of the Davis Cup rules makes it clear. If carpet is to be laid they have to tell the opposition and ITF, what base it will be laid upon so it fits into the speed regulation.

Check the rules pages 24-25. The requirement of the surface being used on pro tour is for World Group and Zonal Group I. And minimum of $350,000 of prize money for the pro tour event means it's an ATP World Tour event. So I'd say carpet is allowed only on lower levels of DC.

Anyway, I checked the surfaces of ATP indoor events:

Hard, Acrylic on Wood: Paris, Montpellier
Hard, Greenset on Boards: Basel, Kuala Lumpur
Hard, Greenset: Valencia, Metz
Hard, Decoturf: Rotterdam
Hard, Play-It: Bangkok, Stockholm, St. Petersburg
Hard, Gerflor: Marseille
Hard, Premier Court: San Jose
Hard, Plexipave: Memphis
Hard, Opticourt: Vienna
Hard, RuKort: Moscow

WTF is the only indoor event the surface of which I didn't found. On the other hand, I don't know if World Group must be played on a certain type of hard court, or if being a hard court is enough, maybe there are carpet-like courts that are officially hard courts.

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by August

Anyway, I checked the surfaces of ATP indoor events:

Hard, Acrylic on Wood: Paris, Montpellier
Hard, Greenset on Boards: Basel, Kuala Lumpur
Hard, Greenset: Valencia, Metz
Hard, Decoturf: Rotterdam
Hard, Play-It: Bangkok, Stockholm, St. Petersburg
Hard, Gerflor: Marseille
Hard, Premier Court: San Jose
Hard, Plexipave: Memphis
Hard, Opticourt: Vienna
Hard, RuKort: Moscow

WTF is the only indoor event the surface of which I didn't found. On the other hand, I don't know if World Group must be played on a certain type of hard court, or if being a hard court is enough, maybe there are carpet-like courts that are officially hard courts.

They are all indoor hardcourts, only thing with all those names are the people that make it and what the base is. So it doesn't matter who makes it as long as it fits the surface and speed requirements.

[dazed1]

What dd i miss? Rafa plays? how come? injury?

[romismak]

Originally Posted by August

Check the rules pages 24-25. The requirement of the surface being used on pro tour is for World Group and Zonal Group I. And minimum of $350,000 of prize money for the pro tour event means it's an ATP World Tour event. So I'd say carpet is allowed only on lower levels of DC.

Anyway, I checked the surfaces of ATP indoor events:

Hard, Acrylic on Wood: Paris, Montpellier
Hard, Greenset on Boards: Basel, Kuala Lumpur
Hard, Greenset: Valencia, Metz
Hard, Decoturf: Rotterdam
Hard, Play-It: Bangkok, Stockholm, St. Petersburg
Hard, Gerflor: Marseille
Hard, Premier Court: San Jose
Hard, Plexipave: Memphis
Hard, Opticourt: Vienna
Hard, RuKort: Moscow

WTF is the only indoor event the surface of which I didn't found. On the other hand, I don't know if World Group must be played on a certain type of hard court, or if being a hard court is enough, maybe there are carpet-like courts that are officially hard courts.

ok so just from this surfaces can be choosed? if so i say Montpellier was really quick and Berdych won there, on that surface he would hit thtrought NAdal with easy and Ferrer would be blown off the court.

[DrJules]

I feel that Spain are the underdogs in the final, if Nadal is not fit.

Can see Berdych winning both his singles matches and the double match. Spain have a good chance of winning both singles against Stepanek.

Currently predicting 3-2 to the Cze unless Ferrer could pull Berdych shock or Spain pull a double surprise.

A fit Nadal with his big match experience and ability to handle pressure would be a massive bonus and would make Spain favourites.

Hopefully the underdogs and visitors can achieve the win.

[Yolita]

I'm rooting for Berdych/Stepanek. They have both got on my nerves recently, but I think they deserve this. They have been playing 2 singles and 1 double match in every DC tie since forever. Time to prove that 2 guys can win the DC, if they have enough commitment and get on well.

Spain has won many cups and will no doubt win more in the future.

[acionescu]

If a two men team deserves a DC that's Czech Rep. Step and Berd dedication in the last years has been exemplary, all that DC is about

Ostrava will be a boiling pot, of course, cant wait for Berd-Mucho

[duong]

Originally Posted by Yolita

I'm rooting for Berdych/Stepanek. They have both got on my nerves recently, but I think they deserve this. They have been playing 2 singles and 1 double match in every DC tie since forever. Time to prove that 2 guys can win the DC, if they have enough commitment and get on well.

and are lucky : you always need luck to win Davis cup, except if you are Spain maybe and not even. The draw especially has always been a huge key in Davis cup.

Against a fit Del Potro and Nalbandian and if Djokovic had played the QF, they would not be there.

I can root for the Czech people since Spaniards have got it too often, even though I prefer Ferrer and Almagro than Berdych and Stepanek.

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by acionescu

If a two men team deserves a DC that's Czech Rep. Step and Berd dedication in the last years has been exemplary, all that DC is about

Ostrava will be a boiling pot, of course, cant wait for Berd-Mucho

They are still trying to get the tie played in Prague, so they can overcharge the visitors easier.