The opening weekend of Davis Cup 2009 is now in the books. But as we look towards the World Group quarterfinals, which take place July 10 -12, let's look at the winners this past weekend:
Spain 4, Serbia 1
Rafael Nadal went 2-0 while Novak Djokovic went 0-2. I guess you won't win if your top baller can drop his shorts but can't win a rubber. The defending champs will now battle...
Germany 3, Austria 2
Nicolas Kiefer + Philipp Kohlschreiber both came through winning their doubles rubber and each winning their singles matches. Philipp came back from two sets to love down to defeat Jurgen Melzer, who also lost his reverse singles match against Nicolas.
Argentina 5, Netherlands 0
Last year's finalist sans two of their biggest stars - David Nalbandian + Juan Martin del Potro - came through in a big way with Juan Monaco + Juan Ignacio Chela winning their singles matches and Martin Vasallo Arguello + Lucas Arnold winning their doubles rubber to clinch the win. The Argentines will now battle...
Czech Republic 3, France 2
Experience overcame youth when Radek Stepanek came through winning the doubles rubber with partner Jan Hernych and clinching the win with his singles defeat of a shaky Gilles Simon, who had already lost the opening rubber to Tomas Berdych. Poor Sneaky - too much pressure, not enough experience.
United States 4, Switzerland 1
A Roger Federer-less Swiss team was no match for an Andy Roddick-led US team on their home soil. A-Rod won both of his singles rubbers defeating Marco Chiudinelli + Stanislas Wawrinka while the Bryan Brothers won their doubles match against Yves Allegro + Stanislas Wawrinka. The US will now battle...
Croatia 5, Chile 0
The dynamic duo of Mario Ancic + Marin Cilic was all the Croats needed to make their way to another battle against the US in Davis Cup. Mario defeated Nicolas Massu, Marin beat Paul Capdeville, and the pair teamed up in doubles and brushed past Nicolas + Paul to clinch the win.
Israel 3, Sweden 2
Despite anti-Israeli protests in Malmo, the visiting team clinched the win over Sweden when Harold Levy pulled out an epic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 8-6 win over Andreas Vinciguerra in the fifth and deciding rubber. The Israeli team will now battle...
Russia 4, Romania 1
Dmitry Tursunov came back from two sets to love down to beat Victor Hanescu 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 and clinch an unassailable 3-1 lead over the Romanians. Teimuraz Gabashvili won the dead rubber match over Victor Crivoi to give Russia and 4-1 win.
(images via Rafael Vélez, getty, ap)
I bet the Swiss have their own Roger Federer voodoo dolls out now. He better not need any favors from any of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed about the Czechs winning. Shouldn't the Frenchies get a point, and the Czech be penalized one, based on looks?
True - they can't be happy with his withdrawal but they can't be surprised either. He's done it before. But I'm sure they voodoo doll poking is in full effect today, maybe even since Friday.
ReplyDeleteThe Czechs did what they needed to do - win ugly! Poor French cuties though. Sneaky Simon really did disappoint not only his team but us - no chance for a post-match Frenchie moment on the sidelines. They wore their sad faces instead. Bad Sneaky, very bad.
Hmmmmm - is it just me, or is there quite a bit less of Bart in that picture??? Maybe it's just the angle. If she does get fit, maybe she'll actually be a player worth reckoning with. It could only help women's tennis now, desperate as they are.
ReplyDelete-Tin
Marion is smaller. She's been steadily increasing her fitness lately, though she needs to be lighter for improved movement. She just has horrible feet for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what anyone says, she's got some serious angles. If anyone is unfortunate enough to hit too many short balls to her ... she's winning. Ask Jelena.
Bart def looked fitter in Oz and she schooled JJ no doubt. Her issue is course her movement but when she is behind the ball she's tough because she can get those angles. But lately it's been a big "IF" so we'll all see if the improved fitness does improve her game.
ReplyDeleteAnd a title run defeating Li Na in the final is a really good start!
Win ugly, BWHA!
ReplyDeleteHey, maybe we need to go over there and give Sneaky a pep talk? By pep talk, I mean we take turns molesting him the French way for a few hours each. Couldn't hurt. He might be inspired.