USA v France Davis Cup

[gavna]

Saw an interview with G Forget yesterday and Jean Gachassin the FFT President and both stated that it's not 100% a sure thing that they will chose clay or even and indoor venue for the tie in April.
Said they will have meetings over the next few weeks to look at the team make up and which surface would be best for France.

[kishnabe]

Indoor Hardcourts will make it even. Clay would be good too....but Fish played well on Clay against Columbians and Swiss, while Isner played well on Clay against Serbia and Swiss.

I would go with Indoor hard. Lllondra would play fantastic on that surface...especially in dbls. Tsonga did well last Indoor hard courst season. Reached the Rotterdam final last year and won in France Indoors (Nice or sumthin).

[Tammo]

The doubles match isn't going to be a gimme, since the French team could be Llodra-Clement.

If the French want the win, I would say indoor hard. Tsonga, Monfils, Llodra and Clement.

[jakemcclain32]

If it's indoor hard, I might throw Roddick a bone and call him. He and Isner can blast away on that surface.

[GRANITECHIEF]

Fish is probably just as good on indoor hard at this point and didn't Roddick say he skipping Davis Cup this year?

[kishnabe]

Originally Posted by GRANITECHIEF

Fish is probably just as good on indoor hard at this point and didn't Roddick say he skipping Davis Cup this year?

Yes is he said that....plus his focus is on the majors. Been in too many ties anyways.

[axel89]

well i hope roddick skips davis cup to focus on his main game throughout the atp. Looking forward for Usa to clinch this title

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by GRANITECHIEF

Fish is probably just as good on indoor hard at this point and didn't Roddick say he skipping Davis Cup this year?

Roddick's career is in down swing. Actually Fish gives us better chance to beat the french team. I think Fish and Isner gives us pretty good chance to win. if they are both healthy.

[dcdoorknob]

As an American (who will be rooting for the US obv), I'm sure hoping France picks and indoor hardcourt. Isner and Fish are still unquestionably both stronger on indoor hard than clay. I know Tsonga is good on the surface too, but still for me France would relaly be playing with fire if they choose a hardcourt.

I think France's best option is still clay (as long as it's actually a good clay court and not what the Swiss ended up with). It's Tsonga's weakest surface, but Monfils and Gasquet (or Simon) could play singles for them and be rated as at least slight favorites in all 4 singles matches. If they choose indoor hard, I think Fish and Isner might be favored to beat any Frenchman besides Tsonga on that surface, and even Tsonga's matches would be far from a sure thing.

The only possible wrench in this is if they can't get 2 of Monfils/Gasquet/Simon to play the tie. If that's the case then sure, play to his Tsonga's strengths. Otherwise tho I still think putting the US on clay (against quality clay courters like France has) is going to be their best option.

[gavna]

Love to see it on a slow sloppy wet court at RG - April in Paris can be iffy but outside would be great. Maybe outside in Nice at the TC - it's large enough. If they do FO indoors I would love to see it in Montpellier - get the stadium filled with young crazy college students.