Davis Cup 2009: Spain vs Serbia and USA vs Switzerland

[Zaragoza]

The draw for the 2009 Davis Cup is out. Host nations are listed first.

WORLD GROUP:

Argentina-Netherlands
Czech Rep.-France

USA-Switzerland (Roddick & Blake vs Federer & Wawrinka)
Croatia-Chile

Sweden-Israel
Romania-Russia

Germany-Austria
Spain-Serbia (Nadal vs Djokovic on clay)

OTHER TIES FROM VARIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL ZONES:

Italy-Slovakia
Great Britain-Ukraine
Belgium-Poland
Canada-Ecuador
Thailand-Australia

http://www.daviscup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=14743

 

[wyutani]

i cant wait for the sweds and the israelis...

 

[cknobman]

Looks like USA could have an early exit next year.

 

[wyutani]

Looks like USA could have an early exit next year.

not wif the bryans...

 

[Zaragoza]

What´s the last time USA lost a tie at home?

 

[thalivest]

The U.S vs Switzerland should be interesting. If Federer is even 75% in form he is a mortal lock to beat whomever both Americans are, regardless that the Americans had some wins over him this year while he was badly off form. So it comes down to Wawrinka and the doubles. Roddick probably has a pretty shot to beat Wawrinka, but Wawrinka probably has a pretty good shot against the other American. The Doubles the Federer-Wawrinka combo probably have a decent shot even vs the Bryans, they did beat them at the Olympics after all. I say the U.S is gone early next year as someone else noted.

 

[thalivest]

What´s the last time USA lost a tie at home?

March 2005 to Ljubicic....I mean Croatia, so not that long ago.

 

[JLyon]

USA could be going home early unless Fed chooses not to play.

 

[Michael Bluth]

I think in about five years Serbia will be able to win the Davis Cup. They'll have Nole and(unless he pulls a DY on us) Filip Krajinovic.

 

[Sir Andrew of Roddick]

The U.S vs Switzerland should be interesting. If Federer is even 75% in form he is a mortal lock to beat whomever both Americans are, regardless that the Americans had some wins over him this year while he was badly off form. So it comes down to Wawrinka and the doubles. Roddick probably has a pretty shot to beat Wawrinka, but Wawrinka probably has a pretty good shot against the other American. The Doubles the Federer-Wawrinka combo probably have a decent shot even vs the Bryans, they did beat them at the Olympics after all. I say the U.S is gone early next year as someone else noted.

The U.S are hosting this one though, which means it will be held at Winston, Salem. Those courts there are probably the fastest in the world right now, so it favors the Americans more, naturally.

 

[gj011]

The worst possible draw for Serbia.

Nevermind, Djokovic and Tipsarevic will beat Ferrer/Almagro/Robredo/Verdaco or whoever plays singles beside Nadal and double will give us the third rubber

 

[thalivest]

The U.S are hosting this one though, which means it will be held at Winston, Salem. Those courts there are probably the fastest in the world right now, so it favors the Americans more, naturally.

A reasonably in form Federer is favored over Roddick, Blake, or any other American on any court. It doesnt matter what court it is. Federer likes faster courts too, so that is no advantage vs him. Federer is not only much better then Americans, he has the same surface order preferences.

Wawrinka though is probably disadvantaged some on faster courts if he plays Roddick, but they could take him losing to Roddick anyway. Wawrinka is very capable of beating Blake or Querrey on a faster court I would suspect. The Swiss doubles should be fine vs the Bryans on a faster court too, in fact they will have an even harder time returning Federer's serve.

 

[thalivest]

The worst possible draw for Serbia.

Nevermind, Djokovic and Tipsarevic will beat Ferrer/Almagro/Robredo/Verdaco or whoever plays singles beside Nadal and double will give us the third rubber

I dont know who has the better doubles team really. Tipsarevic is very unlikely to beat Ferrer or Almagro on clay though. The absolute best I could see Serbia doing is a 3-2 loss since I cant see Nadal losing on clay (and you know the tie will be on claly) or Tipsarevic beating the 2nd Spaniard on clay.

 

[gj011]

I dont know who has the better doubles team really. Tipsarevic is very unlikely to beat Ferrer or Almagro on clay though. The absolute best I could see Serbia doing is a 3-2 loss since I cant see Nadal losing on clay (and you know the tie will be on claly) or Tipsarevic beating the 2nd Spaniard on clay.

I was joking while making comments on the draw. I know Serbia's chances are noot good in this match.

 

[thalivest]

I was joking while making comments on the draw. I know Serbia's chances are noot good in this match.

Sorry, my bad. How is Tipsarevic doing lately? I dont hear as much about him as early in the year when he looked like he was really on the rise.

 

[gj011]

Sorry, my bad. How is Tipsarevic doing lately? I dont hear as much about him as early in the year when he looked like he was really on the rise.

After he made a good run at Wimbledon he didn't do much. But he was dealing with couple of injuries. He was questionable for the DC match as well.

 

[thalivest]

After he made a good run at Wimbledon he didn't do much. But he was dealing with couple of injuries. He was questionable for the DC match as well.

Ok thanks. I hope he can get healthy and get back on track. He has been a very dangerous player, especialy in the slams. Nearly beating Federer in Australia this year, beating Gonzalez at Wimbledon last year, beating Roddick at Wimbledon this year.

 

[woodrow1029]

The U.S vs Switzerland should be interesting. If Federer is even 75% in form he is a mortal lock to beat whomever both Americans are, regardless that the Americans had some wins over him this year while he was badly off form. So it comes down to Wawrinka and the doubles. Roddick probably has a pretty shot to beat Wawrinka, but Wawrinka probably has a pretty good shot against the other American. The Doubles the Federer-Wawrinka combo probably have a decent shot even vs the Bryans, they did beat them at the Olympics after all. I say the U.S is gone early next year as someone else noted.

If Federer even chooses to play.

 

[diegaa]

No one wants to play spain these days.
Serbia isnt unbeatable by any means and Switzerland (w/ fed) appears to be an emerging power.
USA is always powerful and fearsome.
Argentina is playing this year its last chance to get the DC with this generation of players.

 

[NamRanger]

Switzerland will beat America into the ground. Not because I don't love the Americans(I hope they can win), but Switzerland's players are just way too good. You can pick whatever surface you want, but Federer and Wawrinka are going to kill anyone they play. The best bet is for America to go to clay and play ultra pusher Roddick and Querrey against Federer, and pray that they can get a win off him. But, clay is also Wawrinka's best surface. So...

 

[zagor]

Tough draw for Serbia,I don't like our chance too much if Nadal plays.

March 2005 to Ljubicic....I mean Croatia, so not that long ago.

Haha,good one.

 

[NamRanger]

I'm willing to bet that Switzerland will play against Spain, and if Spain hosts, then it will be on clay. Who will win?!

 

[NadalandFedererfan]

I'm willing to bet that Switzerland will play against Spain, and if Spain hosts, then it will be on clay. Who will win?!

Nadal defeats Federer
Nadal defeats Wawrinka
Federer defeats Ferrer or Almagro
Switzerland wins doubles
Wawrinka vs Ferrer or Almagro ????

It would all come down to Wawrinka's match with the other Spaniard

 

[Zaragoza]

Nadal defeats Federer
Nadal defeats Wawrinka
Federer defeats Ferrer or Almagro
Switzerland wins doubles
Wawrinka vs Ferrer or Almagro ????

It would all come down to Wawrinka's match with the other Spaniard

I wouldn´t be so sure that Switzerland would win the doubles. Nadal could also play there. Nadal and Moya beat Federer and Wawrinka on clay last year (Rome MS) and Lopez is a better doubles player than Moya IMO.

 

[gj011]

Why are people talking about Spain vs Switzerland here? Last time I checked matchups are Spain - Serbia and Switzerland - USA.

 

[NadalandFedererfan]

I wouldn´t be so sure that Switzerland would win the doubles. Nadal could also play there. Nadal and Moya beat Federer and Wawrinka on clay last year (Rome MS) and Lopez is a better doubles player than Moya IMO.

Federer and Wawrinka playing together some to gain some experience, should be better in doubles then Spain. Federer is a much better volleyer then Nadal, and Wawrinka is a better volleyer then any other Spanish player. Doubles is most about the combination of volleys, serves, returning, very little and almost none about overall baseline game if played properly, so a combination of Federer- Wawrinka should be better then a combination of Nadal-Moya or Nadal-Lopez if teamwork is comparable.

 

[diegaa]

Why are people talking about Spain vs Switzerland here? Last time I checked matchups are Spain - Serbia and Switzerland - USA.

LOL, people feel too confident.

 

[gj011]

LOL, people feel too confident.

The funny thing is, they can't meet before the final.

http://www.daviscup.com/results/index.asp

 

[Zaragoza]

Federer and Wawrinka playing together some to gain some experience, should be better in doubles then Spain. Federer is a much better volleyer then Nadal, and Wawrinka is a better volleyer then any other Spanish player. Doubles is most about the combination of volleys, serves, returning, very little and almost none about overall baseline game if played properly, so a combination of Federer- Wawrinka should be better then a combination of Nadal-Moya or Nadal-Lopez if teamwork is comparable.

This is off topic so hopefully it´s the last post about this.
You can theorize as much as you want but on clay Nadal and Lopez vs Federer and Wawrinka could go either way.
I think Wawrinka doesn´t have better volleys than Nadal and Lopez has a better serve and better volleys than Wawrinka, about same level as Federer. Nadal has better passing shots than anyone and is the better player on clay. We can wait and see how it plays if this match happens but don´t forget that Nadal and Moya beat them on clay and I think Lopez is a better doubles player than Moya as I said before.

 

[diegaa]

The funny thing is, they can't meet before the final.

http://www.daviscup.com/results/index.asp

Exactly. But they just love the Fed-Rafa drama... wasnt there a thread about "stop the fed and rafa fanatism"?

 

[cucio]

Nadal-Robredo took MC this year on clay, while at the same time Nadal was tearing up the singles. They lost to Hewitt-Guccione at the Olympics, though.

And López volleys waaay better than Wawrinka and perhaps even Federer, his reflexes are feline, it is his ground game which is not up to par for a top singles career.

I think it is fun to think about an hypothetical tie between Spain and Switzerland, even if it is unlikely, at least I find it a welcome variation on the beaten to death Fed-Nad theme.

I think it would be an interesting situation for both captains. Do they make their #1s play the doubles too or do they spare them to get a better chance at their match the following day?

On hard Fed wins 2 points, Wawrinka loses another 2, Fed-Waw win the doubs against López-Verdasco, perhaps the Spaniards should gamble and go for the doubs point with Nadal-Robredo or Nadal-López.

On clay it should be interesting, and probably down to the Ferrer-Wawrinka match. I think the logical move for both captains is to spare Nadal the doubles to secure the Nad-Fed point and for the Swiss to go for the doubs.

 

[gj011]

Sorry I don't think it is "welcome variation" here. This thread is about REAL DC matchups not about as you said "beaten to death theme".

Exactly. But they just love the Fed-Rafa drama... wasnt there a thread about "stop the fed and rafa fanatism"?

Yes there was:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=220641

But is is mission impossible with all these fanboys here.

 

[NamRanger]

LOL, people feel too confident.

Switzerland and Spain are heavy favorites if they have their top players playing. I don't care how good your team is stacked in terms of depth, when you have a superstar like Nadal or Federer that almost locks in 2 wins already, it's almost unstoppable to beat a team like that. Seriously, who's going to beat either of them? Argentina's team seems to be riding Del Potro / Nalbandian at the moment, but their doubles team isn't exactly strong. The USA has Roddick/Blake/Querrey/Bryan Brothers, but put them on clay against decent players, they suck. Russia refuses to play Safin, despite the fact that Safin is like a DC superhero (god knows why he plays well in DC but nowhere else), and rather plays guys like Andreev. Right now, Spain and Switzerland (If Federer plays) look like they are heavy favorites to get to the final. As they should be too, considering Spain has a STACKED team full of depth, and Switzerland has two incredible singles, and a very good doubles team to back it up.



Federer and Wawrinka have improved in doubles alot, they did beat the best doubles team in the world at the Olympics. Also, Federer and Wawrinka are no slouches on clay either. The last time Wawrinka played Nadal on clay, it was a pretty tough match for Nadal. Wawrinka had lots of opportunities but didn't capitalize on them. Federer of course always has a chance, despite what anyone says. The chances of Federer and Wawrinka beating Nadal on clay are low of course, but it's better then anyone else out there, outside of maybe Nalbandian, Djokovic, and Davydenko.

 

[diegaa]

Switzerland and Spain are heavy favorites if they have their top players playing. I don't care how good your team is stacked in terms of depth, when you have a superstar like Nadal or Federer that almost locks in 2 wins already, it's almost unstoppable to beat a team like that. Seriously, who's going to beat either of them? Argentina's team seems to be riding Del Potro / Nalbandian at the moment, but their doubles team isn't exactly strong. The USA has Roddick/Blake/Querrey/Bryan Brothers, but put them on clay against decent players, they suck. Russia refuses to play Safin, despite the fact that Safin is like a DC superhero (god knows why he plays well in DC but nowhere else), and rather plays guys like Andreev. Right now, Spain and Switzerland (If Federer plays) look like they are heavy favorites to get to the final. As they should be too, considering Spain has a STACKED team full of depth, and Switzerland has two incredible singles, and a very good doubles team to back it up.



Federer and Wawrinka have improved in doubles alot, they did beat the best doubles team in the world at the Olympics. Also, Federer and Wawrinka are no slouches on clay either. The last time Wawrinka played Nadal on clay, it was a pretty tough match for Nadal. Wawrinka had lots of opportunities but didn't capitalize on them. Federer of course always has a chance, despite what anyone says. The chances of Federer and Wawrinka beating Nadal on clay are low of course, but it's better then anyone else out there, outside of maybe Nalbandian, Djokovic, and Davydenko.

But of course I agree with you! All I'm saying is that ties must be played first, and anything can happen (including key players injuries and such).

 

[joeri888]

I was joking while making comments on the draw. I know Serbia's chances are noot good in this match.

Djokovic's got a chance if they play on these fast courts in madrid again. If I can compare it to Hamburg, Djokovic came quite close there. They're not chanceless, but it's gonna be a hell of a job.

Switzerland-USA will be exciting. I can see a 5-0 to the swiss, but also a 3-2 for America, so.. should be really nice.

I'm just very disappointed the Netherlands drew an away tie.