Murray Believes Davis Cup Captaincy Should be Decided by Players

Participating in the BNP Paribas Open this week in California, world No. 4 Andy Murray addressed the current Davis Cup woes that the LTA is encountering.

Murray told reporters that in the event that current Davis Cup captain John Lloyd is fired, the players of Great Britain should have a hand in choosing the next captain.

“It’s a difficult one because John won four or five in a row at the start and got us into the World Group with Tim [Henman] coming back, Greg playing, my brother [Jamie] playing good doubles at time and I was playing well — we had a good team,” said Murray at Indian Wells. “It’s the LTA’s decision if they keep him in place but if John does lose his job, the players should have  a strong say in who they think the captain should be and then go to the LTA and say this is who we would like.

“If they don’t want him at least we have voiced our opinion. Then the LTA will have an idea of who we want and come to a decision based on that.  It’s very important that the players are comfortable with who captain is, especially after we lost to Lithuania and how brutal the press has been.  But I’m not going to start throwing names out there.”

Murray also struck out at those who have been criticizing British tennis as a whole. A number of analysts have called for a reorganization of the LTA and other have suggested that heads should roll after Britain lost its fifth consecutive tie.

“Everyone is disappointed,” Murray  said. “It wasn’t one of British tennis’ best days, but we are at a pretty low point and I’m fed up [with] reading negative stuff all the time and constant bashing. They’re needs to be more constructive things with what we need to do to improve as a nation.

“Every time I read something, it’s build more courts and gets more kids too play. I agree, but how are we going to teach them how to play?…We need to have a way of teaching the tennis the same way [like Spain does] and the kids need to learn to play the game properly and they don’t. Everyone has to teach the same way.”

Murray faces Andreas Seppi on Sunday in Palm Springs.

Quotes courtesy of tennis.com, and Matt Cronin.

Henman or Rusedski Could be Potential Future Davis Cup Captains For Britain

Former British players Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski could be asked to become Brtain’s next Davis Cup captain after the countries’ fifth straight Davis Cup defeat over the weekend.

The LTA is reportedly disappointed with current Davis Cup captain John Lloyd, and his track record.

“[T]he governing body would want Henman to guide the team in their Euro-African Zone Group Two relegation play-off against Turkey in July,” said the The London Times.

Earlier this week, the paper was quoted as stating Rusedski’s future role on the team.

“Greg Rusedski is being primed to become Great Britain’s fifth Davis Cup captain in ten years,” though the LTA denied having made any formal approach.

Paul Annacone, the Davis Cup captain for Britain, might be fired as well.

Quotes courtesy of tennis.com.

DC: Gonzalez Defeats Sela; Carries Chile in Davis Cup Quarterfinals

Chile vs. Israel: Chile wins 3-1

World No. 10 Fernando Gonzalez wasted little time on Monday in sending his native Chile into the quarterfinals of this year’s Davis Cup world group with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dudi Sela of Israel.

Playing in front of a supportive crowd in Coquimbo, Gonzalez needed two hours and one minute to capture his fourth straight victory over Sela.

Striking five aces and winning 77 percent of his first serve points, Gonzalez also used his potent return game to break the serve of Sela on five occasions.

Defeating Harel Levy on Saturday, Gonzalez continued in his rich tradition of playing his best tennis for this country.

Holing a gold, silver and bronze medal in the summer Olympics, Gonzalez will lead his Chilean team against the Czech Republic in the next round. That tie will be held July 9-11.

The Czech Republic posted a 4-1 victory over Belgium over the weekend.

Gonzalez will not take part in this week’s Indian Wells Masters event in California, electing to stay in Chile to help with earthquake relief efforts.

Gonzalez is currently working on an a charity event for his country, which would take place around the time of the Miami Masters in Florida.

DC: Israel Forces Day Three Action in Chile

Chile vs. Israel: Chile leads 2-1

Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram gave their Israeli teammates a lifeline on Sunday by defeating Jorge Aguilar and Paul Capdeville 6-7(5) 7-6(9) 2-6 6-1 6-0 to draw within one match of tying their Davis Cup tie with Chile.

Israel, who lost both singles matches on Saturday to Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu, had their backs against the wall after falling behind one set to love, and nearly losing the second set. Fighting off set points in the second set tiebreaker, Erlich and Ram needed three hours and 14 minutes to prevail over their younger opponents.

Monday’s singles matches will feature Gonzalez vs. Dudi Sela and Massu vs. Harel Levy.

The ITF granted the particpants of the tie a late start because earthquake which hit Chile last week.

DC: Djokovic Fights Off Isner to Send Serbia into the Quarterfinals

Serbia vs. United States: Serbia wins 3-1

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic battled past a diligent effort from tall American John Isner during Sunday’s first reverse singles match to send Serbia into the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup world group.

Defeating Isner 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-4 just over four hours, Djokovic fought off 24 aces by the American while striking seven of his own.

Saving two set points in the fourth set tiebreak, Djokovic made an errant backhand pass which forced a fifth set. Djokovic improved to 14-5 in Davis Cup singles competition with his victory on Sunday.

Capturing an early break of serve during the third game of the fifth set, Djokovic needed six match points to defeat his formidable opponent.

Playing in his first ever Davis Cup tie, Isner put forth a tremendous effort on arguably his worst surface.

Falling to his knees after his victory, Djokovic was embraced by his teammates on court, while the 20,000 fans in the Belgrade Arena provided a standing ovation.

Djokovic’s and his competent Serbian squad will face Croatia in the quarterfinals. The powerful Croatian team defeated Ecuador 5-0.

DC: Nalbandian Sends Argentina into Quarterfinals

Sweden vs. Argentina: Winner Argentina 3-2

Initially flying in to support his Argentine squad this weekend, Davis Cup stalwart David Nalbandian inevitibly rescued his team from the jaws of elimination by defeating Andreas Vinciguerra 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Helping to secure the doubles point on Saturday with teammate Horacio Zeballos, Nalbandian subbed in for Eduardo Schwank before the start of the fifth rubber.

Nalbandian, who told reporter before the tie that “if I have to play in a wheelchair I will” put forth a riveting performance which lasted two hours and 35 minutes. The 28-year-old had recently suffered an abdominal tear while competing in his home event in Buenos Aires.

Earlier in the day, Robin Soderling survived 25 aces from Leonardo Mayer to win 7-5, 7-6 (5), 7-5 and force the deciding match.

Using his court craft and trusting two-handed backhand, Nalbandian adapted well to the fast Stockholm surface, which was made to aid the Swedish team.

Winning 75 percent of his first serve points while breaking serve on four of five occasions, Nalbandian improved to 18-4 in Davis Cup singles competition.

Argentina, who have never won the Davis Cup title, appeared in harms way of being defeated in the opening round when Juan Martin del Potro, Juan Monaco and Nalbandian became injured.

Losing to two-time defending champions Spain at home during the 2008 final, Argentina will remain hopeful of their Davis Cup dream against Russia in the quarterfinals.

The final eight tie between Argentina and Russia will be played July 9-11.

Tsonga Injuries Ankle in Dead Rubber Davis Cup Match; Questionable for Indian Wells

World No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was forced to retire from his dead rubber singles match on Sunday in France against Simon Greul of Germany.

Tied at one set all and on serve in the third set, Tsonga sprained his ankle at 4-6, 6-2, 1-0.

The loss by Tsonga gave Germany its first point of the weekend, but handed the Frenchman his first ever loss in Davis Cup competition. Tsonga was previously 6-0 in singles matches.

Tsonga remains entered in next week’s Indian Wells event in California, but his recent injury may spoil his chances of success.

France will face defending champions Spain July 9-11 in the quarterfinals.

Davis Cup Day 3 Review: Spain and Russia Make Quarterfinals

With three teams advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2010 Davis Cup World Group on Saturday, the remaining five ties (excluding the Chile-Israel tie, who will play their doubles rubber today due to a late start) would highlight Sunday’s reverse singles action.

Let’s now take a look at Sunday’s singles action.

Spain vs. Switzerland: Spain wins 3-1

Spaniard David Ferrer propelled his defending championship squad into a meeting with France in the quarterfinals after dismantling Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in two hours, 34 minutes Sunday.

Winning his seventh consecutive match, Ferrer was utterly brilliant in dispatching his formidable Swiss foe. Using his consistent two-handed backhand to move Wawrinka around the court, Ferrer struck 17 winners while winning 74 percent of his first serve points.

Breaking Wawrinka’s serve on seven of 15 occasions, Ferrer went on a rout in the third set after serving out the second set.

Improving to 13-3 in Davis Cup singles competition, Ferrer remains a perfect 9-0 when matches are contested on clay.

The scrappy Spaniard will now travel to Indian Wells, California to participate in the year’s first Masters 1000 event next week.

Nicolas Almagro, who lost to Wawrinka on Friday in the ties first match, will face Marco Chiudinelli in a meaningless fifth “dead” rubber.

The quarterfinal tie between Spain and France will take place July 9-11.

Russia vs. India: Russia wins 3-2

A day after losing the doubles rubber and a point to India, Mikhail Youzhny defeated Somdev Devvarman to boost Russia into the quarterfinal stage of this year’s world group, and a date with either Sweden or Argentina.

Youzhny, who is enjoying some the best form of his veteran career over the past six months, was efficient is dismissing Devvarman 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

“I had to play a bit more aggressively than usual, as it’s tough to play against a guy who doesn’t miss anything,” said Youzhny. “Before the match I knew it could be a dangerous encounter because if he played his best tennis it could be very tough.”

Winning 80 percent of his first serve points, Youznhy struck 49 winners while breaking serve on six of 11 occasions. Devvarman squandered both of his break point opportunities (both in the third set), to fall to 4-5 in Davis Cup singles competition.

“I tried my heart out for every single point, and it’s just frustrating when the guy’s playing so well. I felt like I had a couple of semi chances, but I thought I made some bad decisions and I think that’s what’s frustrating,” said Devvarman.

Rohan Bopanna won the fifth and meaningless rubber against Teimuraz Gabasvili 7-6 (5), 6-4.

The results from the remaining three ties will be posted shortly.

Quotes courtesy of daviscup.com.

Fitzgerald and McNamee Begin New Fued in Australian Tennis

Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald has accused former Australian Open CEO and current Tennis Australia presidential candidate Paul McNamee of lying about trying to smooth over the recent feud between Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic.

Apparently, McNamee claimed that helped resolve the disagreement between Hewitt and Tomic which began last summer.

Fitzgerald, who has always been outspoken with his views, suggested that McNamee was lying.

”He hasn’t heard from Paul or anyone and I don’t know whether there’s any self-promotion around from any corners of the tennis community,” Fitzgerald said. ”But all I know is that Paul hasn’t had anything to do with this Davis Cup team, not for the last 10 years and not now. I want to make that very clear.”

McNamee was quick to respond to Fitzgerald’s comments by stating: ”I was there, so that’s all I can say. If I’m there, I’m there. It’s extraordinary.”

Australia, led by Tomic this weekend, defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0 in Group I, Asia/Oceania Davis Cup action.

Quotes courtesy of tennis.com and The Melbourne Age.

DC: Gonzalez, Massu Give Chile Hope; 2-0 Lead

Olympic doubles winners Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez won emotionally charged singles matches on Saturday over a competitive Israeli squad.

Losing the first set in both encounters, Massu defeated Dudi Sela 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, while Gonzalez fought past Harel Levy 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the day’s second match.

The tie, which started a day late because of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake which hit the region last weekend, did not damper the mood of supportive crowd through both matches.

Reflecting on the recent earthquake to hit his country, a hopeful Gonzalez had this to say.

“What has happened today has been very painful. I was in lloca a couple of weeks ago, and now it saddens me a lot to see the impact of the tsunami in that area. I have a lot of hope that all of us together will help to rebuild this country.”

Sunday’s doubles contest will feature Gonzalez and Massu against Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram.

Quote courtesy of daviscup.com.

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