The Tennis Thread 2013

[Mango]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

so for Spain it's now Granollers and who?

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez replaces Almagro.

So it'll be: Albert Ramos, Marcel Granollers, Marc Lopez and Garcia-Lopez.

[GirlySports]

Canada will win easily.

Yesterday Dancevic took Paul Henri Matthieu to a 3rd set tiebreak in a challenger and Matthieu is better than any of those guys.

[spiteface]

Of the Big Four, he (Rafa) is the only one with a winning record against each of the other three. When Roger Federer was threatening to overrun tennis the way Michael Jordan did basketball, it was Nadal who provided the rivalry that rebalanced the game. Federer is the greatest player of all time, but he is 10-18 against Nadal. That meant that unlike the Jordan age, in which there were pretenders who couldn't finish the deal, a player existed whom Federer had to respect, if not fear. The two elevated each other -- and the sport.

taken from this article:
http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id...-espn-magazine

[Inglewood Jack]

I don't enjoy watching Rafa beat my favorite players, but I'll welcome him back if he promises to stop Murray whenever he gets the chance.

In any case, this year's FO looks to be the most intriguing in a very long time. Most other seasons I don't even know why they bothered holding the men's singles event at all.

[Inglewood Jack]

Alright I'm up...lets do this!! Zzzzzz

[Inglewood Jack]

Oh god this is taking forever...I can't believe there hasn't been a single break yet between the two best returners. Djoker gradually getting into rhythm after a choppy start though, expect him to start opening this thing up in the 3rd.

[Inglewood Jack]

And that's all she wrote. Flames win, Nole takes down Grimace...satisfying weekend. After 2 weeks, bedtime at last.

[polak]

Great match.
I actually stayed up and watched all of it. I was pretty slammed but hey. It still counts.

[fundmark19]

Does anyone know if Canada has ever played Croatia or Italy in Davis cup? I am trying to figure out if we pull off a win if the next Tie will be in Canada or not.

I found an old article and looks like Croatia would be a coin flip

[GirlySports]

pretty sure italy would be a coin flip too..

[Rjcsjc62]

Wow, I knew about Rafa, but I had no idea about all the injuries until I read this thread. Thanks everyone.

Canada is now a slight favorite to defeat Spain, still the longest shot on the board to win the whole thing at 80 - 1.

[NBC]

Canada has not previously played either Italy or Croatia in the Davis Cup.

I see no reason as to why Canada can't go deep into the tournament as long as Raonic is healthy. With some luck in the draw and with coin flips, this could be an interesting year for Tennis Canada. Having a top singles player and a doubles specialist that hardly loses in the Cup is a wonderful thing.

[HitterD]

Does anyone know about Levine's availability for future davis cup ties this year?

I know he can not compete in Feb, but can he join the team if they win this tie?

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by HitterD

Does anyone know about Levine's availability for future davis cup ties this year?

I know he can not compete in Feb, but can he join the team if they win this tie?

Yes I believe it is a 90 day window from when he declares to when he can play

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/stor...cup-spain.html

[Mango]

Originally Posted by HitterD

Does anyone know about Levine's availability for future davis cup ties this year?

I know he can not compete in Feb, but can he join the team if they win this tie?

Correct. Levine will be eligible for all future ties after this one. Tennis Canada is making sure he gets comfortable with the team regardless. He and Peliwo are both with the squad in Vancouver right now as hitting partners.

[Mango]

Here's the draw:

1st Singles Rubber – Friday, February 1, 2:00 p.m. MT
Milos Raonic v Albert Ramos

2nd Singles Rubber – Friday, February 1
Frank Dancevic v Marcel Granollers

Doubles Rubber – Saturday, February 2, 2:00 p.m. MT
Daniel Nestor / Vasek Pospisil v Marcel Granollers / Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

3rd Singles Rubber – Sunday, February 3, Noon MT
Milos Raonic v Marcel Granollers

4th Singles Rubber – Sunday, February 3
Frank Dancevic v Albert Ramos

I certainly don't want to count the chickens before they have hatched, but it seems very reasonable to assume they will move on. I think the Canadians hold their own destinies in their hands for this tie.

[Matty81]

I think it's going to be entertaining and close. Canada has a good chance but Spain has a top 20 player, a top 40 player and a top 10 doubles guy here... this is no pushover, on paper both singles players are significantly better than Dancevic and the doubles match is going to be close.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think it's going to be entertaining and close. Canada has a good chance but Spain has a top 20 player, a top 40 player and a top 10 doubles guy here... this is no pushover, on paper both singles players are significantly better than Dancevic and the doubles match is going to be close.

Definitely. My prediction: I think it finishes up 3-2 with Canada coming out on top. Fingers crossed.

To everyone heading down tomorrow, have fun I'm looking at you fundmark!

[fundmark19]

Man I am so excited! After a crazy all night drive including a 2 hour pit stop in Spokane due to crazy fog a full day of shopping and a full night of gambling at casino all on 2 hours of sleep I am so looking forward to tomorrow! I have my flag and my scarf ready to go

[KootenayFlamesFan]

First set tie breaker. I was hoping it was going to be an easier match than this.

edit: ooops, not a tie breaker just yet. Getting ahead of myself.