USA and Davis cup?

[spinbalz]

Do you think that the current US players really have the will to win it in the few next years, and will make the needed efforts to achieve a success? And do they have the potential?

I think that they may have some good potential, Roddick + bryans brothers can easely make 3 points against many countries, but they will always have a lot of troubles to win on clay against Spain or Argrentina, or beating Australia on grass, or beating Switzerland against a Federer on fire who can win his 2 single + and do well in double, playin Russia if Safin is motivated should also be a major problem.

[Ronaldo]

How about this year? Meet Sveden April 9-11 in Delray Beach.
Semis could match up with Argentina or Belarus........The BEAST
Switzerland or Spain in the final. Nah, just pack it in. Then, again, Robbie Ginepri can get hot.

[Rabbit]

The US has always had trouble with some surfaces. John McEnroe to my knowledge, never won a match in Argentina. Back then, Argentina had Vilas and Clerc playing DC for them. During his reign in American Davis Cup, the US did not fare very well on dirt.

There was a brief period of time in the early to mid 80s when the US had Michael Chang, Jim Courier, and Andre Agassi on board. Chang defeted Muster (I think) in Austria on clay and the US even selected clay as the home surface a couple of times.

Now it would appear that hardcourts are going to be the surface of choice. The new guys do very well on it. But, like the 70s, it would appear that clay is going to give the US the most trouble. Roddick is very suspect on clay, especially the kind they have elsewhere in the world, the red kind. Someone who knows how to play on dirt can drive someone who doesn't crazy.

IMO, the US has the strongest doubles team that they've had in twenty years with the Bryan brothers. Roddick is the horse of the team, but like I said, he's not a lock to win under certain circumstances.

[PureCarlosMoyaDrive]

They can win it, but not if they face Spain or Argentina on clay. The wouldn't stand a chance against either. They'd win the doubles probably, but they can't sqeuak out 2 singles wins against the likes of Moya, Ferrero or Coria, Nalbandian, etc. Switzerland would be really tough to beat with Federer on like usual, but they still could win the doubles. I don't think they'll win it soon, but they could reach the finals.

[sseemiller]

I think they will win it before the current "class" of US players retires. But it all depends on the draw, etc. If they are able to play most, if not all their matches, at home one year, they will be tough to beat. And they are all committed to playing Davis Cup. You have the best doubles team in the world committed, plus a Top 3ish player, and guys who could be Top 10 players. And they have been gaining valuable Davis Cup experience over the past couple years.

So I think they will bring home the Salad Bowl. Maybe not this year, because Argentina on clay would be a nightmare. But Australia beat Brazil on clay a couple years ago, and as they say, anything can happen in Davis Cup. But I'm not sure that would happen against Argentina, unless Coria and Nalbandian were injured.

But these American guys are very young, and they are very good, and with the right draw, they will do it. I would even bet money -- or dinner -- on it.

And BTW, I heard a very respected American journalist saying at IW that he thinks Mardy Fish is the best American player out there, and will eventually pass Roddick's results. Let's see.