[is6]

and what would give them advantage?

it wouldn't be an easy task considering that both Yevgeny and Marat can play on all surfaces.

I personally think that French guys have more chances on clay considering that YK doesn't really like it and Marat's game has shifted more to the hard court and grass (all that serve-and-volleying)..


what do you think?

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I would be surprised if they didnt play on clay again - I guess it will be to cold for Roland Garros outside at that point, huh? Too bad..

Indoor carpet would be a bad idea for obvious reasons. Grass is also not going to happen. Marat has won the US Open, so i would assume that indoor hardcourt would also be a bad idea.

Even on clay, the Russians will contend. But it would be their weakest at the time being - not that that says a lot, what with a past Roland Garros champ and semifinalist.

 

[the cat]

Like Becca said. Clay is the Russian's worst surface. So that will be the court surface. Guaranteed.

And I just hope the Davis Cup final will be on television in America. But I don't expect it to be!

 

[Ace Tracker]

don't forget that the French have a great grass-court player on Escudé while neither Safin nor YK have done much on it for the past years...

 

[ys]

Clay is the only surface where Russians would have an obvious advantage. The French would be favourites on carpet, and that is what they are going to choose.

 

[Jessi]

its not their favorite surface but safin and YK can play on grass. YK won Halle this year and Marat reached the quarters of wimbledon last year.

 

[ys]

All this is not even a question. French would not be able to make it grass due to technical reasons, and they would not dare to choose clay. Carpet or indoor hardcourts, not much difference to me..

 

[Jessi]

the cat, clay is NOT the Russians worst surface. I really don't know how you can say that. The first two ties won by Russia this year were played on clay. YK is a former Roland Garros champ while Marat has made the semifinals. At their best i would say they are two of best clay court players in the world.

i agree with ys, i think it will be carpet or indoor hardcourts.

 

[is6]

I beg your pardon, but there is such a thing as synthetic grass.

Also, YK has a very decent record on carpet and Marat is quite capable of playing on it as well, so I don't think it's a done deal.

Even if the French end up choosing carpet, it will be because there is no really surface that would give them clear advantage (since Russians are pretty much all courters)

 

[Ace Tracker]

the Russian team with YK and Safin is stronger, at least on paper, but the Russians lack depth outside their main two players, in case anything happens to one of them...I am sure Mikhail Youzhny is extremelly talented and can post victories over top players at anyday, but he does not have much experience on Davis Cup matches and might falter if needed (especially considering that Safin and Kafelnikov will be expected to play both singles and doubles matches, thus stressing the importance of both of them being extremelly fit at the time)...

 

[ys]

I beg your pardon, but there is such a thing as synthetic grass

There is no such thing according to ITF. It is not an official surface.

Also, YK has a very decent record on carpet and Marat is quite capable of playing on it as well, so I don't think it's a done deal.

They simply have no choice. Russia has three good claycourters. France has one. If France chooses carpet, at least it mostly takes Youzhnyi out of consideration and gives the French more chance to match Safin with Santoro. On clay Russia can well opt to play Kafelnikov and Youzhnyi on the first day with Safin playing doubles and singles on the last day. And that completely takes Santoro out of picture, because Santoro is 0:9 against Kafelnikov and Youzhnyi. On clay Russia has so much more space for maneuvering. Leave alone the fact that Kafelnikov is triple RG champion in doubles and winning some clay Masters in doubles with different partners almost every year. The French choose clay and the doubles is gone, Santoro is gone, and they are left with lonely Grosjean and no other player having a mere idea of how to play on clay.. Maybe Gasquet?

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Maybe you are right about clay being a bad idea

I hadnt thought about that.

I can't imagine they would pick indoor carpet though, what with Kafel...

 

[ys]

Becca, Grosjean ( along with Haas and probably Federer ) is probably the best indoor player of last year. Indoors Grosjean is better than Kafelnikov, at least in France. And Clement has always given Kafelnikov all sort of troubles. And Santoro gave same to Safin. They choose carpet. Grosjean plays Kafelnikov on the first day, Santoro plays Safin on the first day. In reverse singles Grosjean plays Safin, and Clement plays Kafelnikov. It can't get any better than that for the French. It is not even a possibility, it is written on the wall.

 

[tennischick]

gosh what a tough choice! poor Guy...

Clement and Escude are terrific on hardcourts -- but then again so are the Russians.

how about Rebound Ace? is that allowed?

 

[ys]

Also, if I were a French captain, I would not really think too match about that Safin/Santoro thingy. For Safin - Santoro problem is purely mental, and in DC where it is ITF rules and allowed coaching, mental-wise it is a different ballgame. Russia has a full squad of experts on how to tame Santoro, and they will be on the bench helping Safin.

 

[ys]

Rebound Ace? is that allowed?

LOL! Are you going to play on Rebound Ace against a team who has three AO finals and Olympic Gold on Rebound Ace within last four seasons?

 

[Ace Tracker]

yep, it's a tough call...I'm sure Guy* would rather have to play the Argentines on carpet...it's starting to smell like Nice 1999...

*I heard he's starting to recruit sensuous blondes in Paris to keep Safin entertained...

 

[Chrisie]

*I heard he's starting to recruit sensuous blondes in Paris to keep Safin entertained...

Nice attempt, Guy Forget! That won't be hard!

Ahhhhh, Santoro, he's the part of the reason I hoped a USA victory. What a terrible thought.

 

[TheBoiledEgg]

I still think they will choose Paris Bercy and that means Indoor Carpet.

they have until Monday to decide.

 

[Dahveed]

They said they would announce it on Friday night, and it will probably take place in Paris Bercy indeed.

Guy Forget said they are debating within the team about the surface to choose. Probably carpet yes, but indoor clay is another possibility. Forget grass, lol this isn't Wimbledon or Australia, it's not cos Escudé is a good grass player they're gonna install grass in Paris Bercy

Anyway this will be a nice DC final!