Monday, November 19, 2012

Czech Republic creating history with Davis Cup triumph

Davis Cup creates some of the greatest memories in tennis and also the biggest lows, which is unsurprising due to the nature of the competition. It's not just about the individuals, they're playing for their countries having to work within a team environment in different ways.

In the 100th edition of the Davis Cup, it got the final it deserved going down to the 5th match where dreams are made or shattered depending on the outcome of the result.

As was stated in my Davis Cup Preview that Radek Štěpánek was the true heartbeat and leader of the team. These skills were apparent as he lead the Czech Republic to their first win as an independent nation.




Winners are Grinners

Unsurprisingly it was 1-1 after Day 1. David Ferrer who was the true star for Spain for the season going undefeated in live singles matches, the last time he lost a live rubber was to his nemesis Gael Monfils. Štěpánek didn't play too well, but he wasn't allowed to as Ferrer kept him back on the baseline and played the match on his terms running out a comfortable winner. Sure, the Lukas Rosolites were hoping that he'd play a role in the tie, but Jaro Navratil is known for his loyalty to these two guys.

Promoting the final

Tomas Berdych made some comments about Nico Almagro before the tie, depending on the viewpoint Berdych was either talking trash or stating the obvious that he was the weak link in this team especially on the low bouncing surface. Almagro played an excellent match and Berdych looked tired and heavy legged perhaps with the pressure that he needed to level the tie. Berdych eventually got through and there definitely wasn't a lot of love in the handshake, but two combative characters provides something different.

In the doubles was where Štěpánek's leadership skills thrived as he was the dominant partner as Berdych was struggling with tiredness. His scheduling before the final was pretty ordinary playing 6 out of 7 weeks, not everyone has the endurance levels of Ferrer. Granollers and the good Lopez Marc won the doubles world championship, even then on the surface Stepanek and Berdych were favourites who have known each other for a long time, that they don't need to play too often to get in the groove. Once they wrestled the momentum and Berdych improved while Štěpánek kept the level up to get it done.


Radek always smooth with the women

Czech fans were hopeful Berdych would be able to seal the tie in the 4th match but that was gone after the first game. Both he and Ferrer hadn't lost a Davis Cup singles match this season so something had to give. Ferrer played arguably his best ever match, it was one of those days where everything was working perfectly. He was seeing the ball like a medicine ball but striking it like a golf ball dominating from the baseline and moving Berdych around who was getting more weary over time. Ferrer just owned Berdych.

Heroic Štěpánek

It all came down to the 5th match with the alleged weak link Almagro and the crafty Štěpánek who was dreaming of this moment as a child. What a performance under pressure from Štěpánek he played an outstanding match apart from a poor break point conversion rate.

For all the hooplah about the surface it wasn't so fast, the bounce was very low which is unusual for courts these days and it played into Štěpánek's game to expose Almagro who loves rhythm from the baseline. He was able to protect his forehand and keep Almagro off balance, who was very passive at times.


Air Štěpánek

Štěpánek was getting tight at the end but managed to serve it out and create his greatest tennis moment. Not bad for a guy in 2002 who was struggling playing doubles, then makes it as a singles player with his awkward game in an era where the surfaces don't favour his game.



Spain fought hard as per usual, gave their best efforts but they've have dominated the Davis Cup in recent times and the historical significance of the former Czechoslovakia team of Ivan Lendl, Tomas Smid, Pavel Slozil and Jan Kodes who were in attendance. They defeated Argentina away in 1980 just as the current team in 2012.


2012 and 1980 Davis Cup winners

Once Jaro Navratil took over the captaincy, then Štěpánek came back to the team. Once they won promotion to the World Group defeating Switzerland with Federer and Wawrinka. It has been gradual progress and the rewards eventually game. There aren't so many opportunities to win Davis Cup especially if they have a 2 man team, so have to take them when on offer.

Yes, Berdych and Stepanek were the main men of the Czech team but Lukas Rosol, Minar and the others helped create the positive atmosphere within the squad. Most only the see the main guys on the court, but there are more than 3 people involved.

It will be interesting to see how long Steps can play singles for and Lukas Rosol if he can continue to improve will need to step up. That's for the later, now it's party time and the celebrations should go on for days

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Time for the Czechs to cash in the Davis Cup final

While the race to Aus Open is still going strong with a few places to be sorted out. The big tennis event this weekend is the Davis Cup final between the Czech Republic and Spain in Prague.

My views on the Davis Cup as a competition are very clear, but for those who don't know lets say unlike gloryhunter or player fans I believe it's a special competition. Yes, there are plenty of issues with it, more so with its scheduling than with player participation, though many of the top guys are always looking for an excuse to miss something that doesn't benefit them directly. It's an opportunity for global fans to see players they normally wouldn't for example Tomas Berdych playing and winning in Argentina to get them in the semi finals..



Czech Davis Cup Squad

Unfortunately the Czechs didn't choose Ostrava as the venue for the final. That's where they get the best support from plus Berdych, Stepanek and Rosol are Moravian and the Prague crowd is like a museum compared to Ostrava. At the same time it's a lot easier to rip off tourists and visiting corporate sponsors who will have access to most of the tickets in Prague than the tourist hot spot of Ostrava. The expense accounts of the ITF and the Davis Cup sponsors might even reach the amount of zeros comparable to the number of women Tiger Woods has slept with. Can never overlook the business factor in sport.

Davis Cup
Enough of the prelude and onto the important tennis stuff. This is easily the best chance for the Czechs to win the Davis Cup and to get some revenge for the thrashing Spain gave them in 2009 on the clay in Barcelona. Since the ITF have bought in speed regulations in relation to court surface. The Czechs can't lay down a very fast carpet like surface which Belarus perfected during their World Group stay and affectionately known as the ice rink, due to very low bounce and fast pace.

As per usual before a Davis Cup tie there are the shenanigans usually in relation to the court surface. Never in doubt the Spanish are complaining about the speed, then again it's not like the clay courts don't get an extra bath before ties in Spain. It's part of the fun of trying to win ties away from home which makes Davis Cup special and that individuals aren't just playing for themselves.



Berdych

Tomas Berdych came out during the week and said Nico Almagro is the weak link in the Spanish team. Mr. Berdych and Almagro have had their issues in the past, which isn't surprising since both of them are very confident in their abilities and don't toe the PC or cliche lines which is more interesting. The comments aren't exactly incorrect as Almagro isn't at his best indoors and on fast surfaces. While Almagro has an impressive serve and he is a lot fitter these days, he doesn't have the required defensive skills which are highlighted more on faster surfaces as he doesn't get the time he needs.

Berdych's best work when it comes to Spain when he beat Rafa Nadal in Madrid way back in 2006 and was the last time he beat him. The Madrid crowd weren't too sporting and Berdych with the famous shhh gesture at the end of the match. That was some classic heel work as the crowd booed the hell out of him, too bad Berdych didn't do the Hulk Hogan gesture for more booing. After the match Berdych said "all the Spanish know is bullfighting and football". That's how to be a heel.


From 6.46

While Berdych is the big star of the team, it's in fact Radek Stepanek that is the actual leader of the squad. He is the glue that holds them together and the reason once he retires that it will be more difficult for the Czechs to win another Davis Cup. Steps is the man who creates the atmosphere in the squad, quick with the jokes, the fashion plate and he loves the Davis Cup environment.


Smooth Stepanek

Jaro Navratil the man with the best mullet in tennis and Czech captain has played the 2 man team of Berdych/Stepanek in all the live rubbers. Though with Lukas Rosol winning the Blava Challenger on a similar surface to the one used in the DC final it would be a brave man to include him on Day 1 against Ferrer. Stepanek not sure about whether he can last the 3 days at the end of the season, that is the main question. Navratil hasn't made a call like this in his time as captain, though it's about adapting to the particular circumstances.

With Spain they have David Ferrer who has had a brilliant season and tough to beat anywhere, though Berdych, Stepanek/Rosol would fancy their chances on this surface. Almagro's strengths and weaknesses have been taken into account and Feliciano Lopez is the 5th man travelling with the squad.


Almagro


Corretja

Of course with the doubles both sides think they'll have the advantage. Berdych/Stepanek are an excellent combination who've only lost one match in the 2009 final and Granollers/Marc Lopez won the world doubles title. The big question is how Granollers/Lopez will handle the surface, there are rumours about Marc Lopez might be replaced, though we'll find out soon enough.

On Day 1 it's Stepanek vs. Ferrer, then followed by the best of friends Berdych vs. Almagro. Would love to see the Czechs go up 2-0 on Day 1 but anything can happen in Davis Cup.

As for who will win. I'm going for the Czechs either 3-1 or 3-2. Berdych has been talking a big game and time for him to deliver, though it would be great for Stepanek who since he came back to the Davis Cup fold has been outstanding especially in the doubles. The greatest worm of all time will be performed if they get it done. The omen is there for a Czech win, when they won in 1980 they defeated Argentina away from home with Ivan Lendl and he has been there for the training this week.


From 1.00

Lets hope it's a good final and the Czechs are celebrating with the trophy.

Monday, November 05, 2012

The Forgotten Race

With the 2012 tennis circus virtually coming to a close apart from the Tennis Masters Cup in which the final 8 was even more predictable than long balls from Stoke City or West Ham and the Davis Cup final next week. This post isn't going to be a season review, that will come after the Davis Cup final which hopefully the Czechs will be winning.

Huge surprise the ATP have shown their brilliance in organisation by scheduling TMS Paris week before the Masters. Can see why they want to shorten the season, they should have made it a non mandatory TMS but we already have the unique situation with Monte Carlo, Forget wants the event to move to February to keep it's TMS status, then we aren't dealing with a competent organisation.

Jerzy Janowicz was the star of the week that's as obvious as Nadal taking too much time in between points. Janowicz started the year ranked 221 playing the Sheffield and Wirral Futures which are the lowest level of events on the ATP and now finishes the season ranked 26 which will get him a seeding at the Australian Open.


Jerzy Janowicz

Not even Janowicz's family would have thought by the end of the year that he would be ranked this highly. As for his game, well he has something that is lacking in tennis today some variety. Yes, he has a massive serve but not a semi western forehand which is unusual, He has great touch for a big man, though not quite to Magnus Larsson's level but he definitely moves better.

While Janowicz has already secured his direct entry spot into the Australian Open . At the end of the season this race is inherently more interesting than the one for the Masters for the reasons there are more players with something to play for unlike the guys say from 20-90 who are already thinking about their holidays, rest and then preparations for the next year.

Forgotten Race

At the lower end of the tennis tree where points tight and the finances tighter, direct entry into a Slam is beneficial for these players especially with the long trip to Melbourne which will pay off for them financially. If they don't make the cutoff, unlike the other Slams then they have to think about the financial realities of making the expensive trip to Melbourne for qualies, this is the reason why the cutoff for the qualies is lower than the other Slams.

Ranking from 95-112




Rank Player Points
95. Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 554
96. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) 547
97. Joao Sousa (POR) 546
98. Andreas Haider Maurer (AUT) 542
99. Blaz Kavcic (SLO) 540
100. Dudi Sela (ISR) 540
101. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 538
102. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 536
103. Michael Russell (USA) 531
104. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 530
105. Matthew Ebden (AUS) 529
106. Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 529
107. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 527
108. Matthias Bachinger (GER) 527
109. Jan Hajek (CZE) 527
110. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 526
111. Adrian Ungur (ROU) 515
112. Rajeev Ram (USA) 512


There are 3 weeks of Challengers for the fringe players to reach Melbourne. Horacio "The Bolivian" Zeballos with his win in Montevideo moved up 24 places to 95. If he could play 53 weeks a year he would, plus he always plays singles and doubles. For those who don't know the Slams are made up of 16 qualifiers, 8 wildcards and 104 players including Protected Ranking (PR) which is something players apply for when they're out for 6 months or longer due to injuries or illness. The PR is taken after the last tournament played and can be used to enter events. Tommy Robredo will use his PR to enter the Aus Open, ideally finishing the year at 100 or 101 will get the player into the main draw.

Since the Australian Open is the Slam that I do to go, there will be even more bias than usual with who I'd like to make the trip. With Grega Žemlja and Aljaž Bedene already in the tournament barring injuries, it would be fitting that Blaž Kavčič makes it as it will create history in Slovenian tennis with 3 men in the main draw of a Slam.


Blaž Kavčič

Sergiy Stakhovksy who manages to infuritate WTA apologists with his forthright comments, plus he doesn't want to miss the important player meeting in Melbourne which should be even more fiery than usual. Of course then there is Mikey Russell, one of the great guys in the sport who has had so many injuries plus he has quads of steel and has to walk through doors sideways because of the size of the thighs.


Sergiy Stakhovsky

Ivo Karlovic well because my Croatian mate will be pissed off if he doesn't make it, then there is the comedy factor which leads into Petzschner. He of the fun game but brittle temperament who was almost on the way to a triple bagel of Lukáš Rosol leading 6-0 6-0 4-0 before he let Rosol get 2 games and he gets extra points for the compression socks.


Phillipp Petzschner

Dudi Sela is on the edge as well, he is one of these guys who performs better on the big stage and struggles to get motivated when playing Challengers, then again shotmakers aren't usually the epitome of consistency. Adrian Ungur who has been in a slump has a chance at Sao Leopoldo to get himself closer to direct entry.

As there are 6 Challengers this week as the forgotten race really heats up. It's called that because it's something that is rarely spoken about since in tennis especially for the vast majority it's all about the top 4 and nothing exists outside this group. Sure, there are fleeting mentions to other activities besides whether Rafael Nadal had breakfast, Federer wants more appearance money for Basel, Murray whether he is miserable or is Djokovic sleeping in the egg.

Challengers are tough places to play at the best of times, even better at this time of the year when there is so much on the line for players who are overlooked in the tennis circus but are needed for the circuit to function. Though there are enough clowns who want a top 4 exhibition tour for the whole year, lucky they haven't reached the head of the ATP or ITF yet.

Please follow FootSoldiersofT here Foot Soldiers of Tennis and on Twitter who has been doing excellent updates on the forgotten race to 103.