2014 Davis Cup

[NADAL2005RG]

The word "favorite" doesn't hold much weight when Tsonga just beat Federer at Toronto, and Monfils just had matchpoints on Federer at the US Open.

And Wawrinka has no clear edge over Tsonga, Monfils or even Gasquet (Wawrinka beat Gasquet 8-6 in the 5th set in their last meeting, after Gasquet won the first 2 sets).

I wouldn't be surprised if France win 3-0 :clap

 

[Moxie]

I want France to choose fast hardcourt so Wawrinka loses both singles matches :clap
They are the favorite for the doubles.

It's not clear to me that Wawrinka is at a disadvantage on fast hard court. Perhaps Tsonga will have the edge on him on that surface, but hardly Gasquet or even Monfils.

Is your worship of Nadal, such that you have to position yourself against the Swiss? Or do you have a genuine appreciation for the French players? Lol!

Do you even need to ask. I'm guessing Nadal2005RG is one of those Wafa fans who actually think it's some gap in Roger's resume not to have a Davis Cup title.

On fast hard court Roger is the clear favorite over Tsonga and a big favorite over Gasquet or Wawrinka. Given home court I'd give Tsonga the edge over Stan but Stan would be clear favorite over Gasquet or Monfils.

Probably so, though in Wawrinka we do have a new one to root against. Seriously, though, it's hard not to like the idea of Switzerland getting it's first one ever, and on the other hand, they're playing a team of really entertaining, stylish players in the French, so I'd be happy for either. But anyway, everyone is really looking forward to this one.

 

[Kieran]

I'd prefer the Swiss to win it. Not because I like their players, but I prefer their players to Monfils or Gasquet...

 

[DarthFed]

The word "favorite" doesn't hold much weight when Tsonga just beat Federer at Toronto, and Monfils just had matchpoints on Federer at the US Open.

And Wawrinka has no clear edge over Tsonga, Monfils or even Gasquet (Wawrinka beat Gasquet 8-6 in the 5th set in their last meeting, after Gasquet won the first 2 sets).

I wouldn't be surprised if France win 3-0 :clap

Lol, so a best of 3 where Tsonga had his best tournament ever means he is the favorite over Roger. Have you seen how bad the guy has sucked the past year aside from that. Maybe you should refer to the last best of 5 meeting between Roger and Tsonga Last I checked it's not necessarily a confidence builder to be spotted 2 sets and lose the match including a 15 minute 6-1 5th set in Monfils case.

Wawrinka has a clear edge over Monfils and Gasquet on any surface. He is just plain better than them on everything. Roger has a clear edge over Tsonga and the rest on any surface. He is just plain better than them on everything.

But that's why they play the matches and if they choose clay the gap is closer IMO and home court and a possibly mentally fragile performance from Wawrinka could sway things in France's favor.

 

[Front242]

Personally I dunno why there's so much talk of Federer v Tsonga or Monfils when in actual fact he'd have much more trouble imo against Simon or Benneteau. Wawrinka in any case is the weak link for the Swiss and not Federer.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Wawrinka hasn't proven to be any better than Monfils in the last month.

And Federer has had recent problems with Tsonga/Monfils.

And the doubles looks like France.

So is there any reason to think the Swiss are favorites? No sireeeee.

 

[Front242]

They're favourites based on ranking.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

They're favourites based on ranking.

I agree, for the non-tennis-following-folks, ranking it is :celeb:

 

[DarthFed]

Wawrinka hasn't proven to be any better than Monfils in the last month.

And Federer has had recent problems with Tsonga/Monfils.

And the doubles looks like France.

So is there any reason to think the Swiss are favorites? No sireeeee.

Wawrinka has proven to be equal to Monfils in the last month and way way greater if we are going on the last 2 years. Fed played scrub tennis for 2 sets and still beat Monfils. If it's clay then Roger has plenty to worry about vs. anyone France has IMO. Of course Roger would still be favorite but it's tougher and it'd be hardly much of a surprise if he lost. Indoor hards, not so much, just show up and play respectably...2 points.

 

[Federberg]

I think the French would be foolish to play Gasquet. This is the sort of environment that Gael and JW will thrive in. But Richard would absolutely choke it

 

[DarthFed]

^ Agreed. Not sure Monfils would necessarily thrive but given recent form and what you mentioned about Gasquet he seems to be the better choice.

 

[Front242]

The French imo should definitely consider Simon or Benneteau against Fed. They usually give him more trouble than Tsonga and Monfils. Simon, in fact, has proven tricky against many players and proved to be Cilic's toughest opponent at the USO also.

 

[Riotbeard]

I will pull for the French assuming Julian is playing doubles. I also like Richie ok and Jo. That being said, no real dog in the fight, but will enjoy the matches.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Personally I dunno why there's so much talk of Federer v Tsonga or Monfils when in actual fact he'd have much more trouble imo against Simon or Benneteau. Wawrinka in any case is the weak link for the Swiss and not Federer.

I agree with you. I think both Simon and Benneteau will give more trouble to Fed than
Tsonga or Monfils. For some reason, there is a match-up issue between Fed and Benneteau;
even though Fed has a winning record against him all the matches were tricky one way or
other.

Simon is another tricky counter puncher that bores you to death and then eventually wins.

The ideal strategy for France would be to field Simon and Benneteau against Fed and
Tsonga and Monfils against Wawrinka. Only problem is that the rules do not allow them
to field in such a selective manner.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

There is another important factor to consider in the Swiss-France DC finals.

Wheres France has depth (it has so many players in top 50), Swiss is basically
reliant on the goat and a man.

If at the end of opening singles matches on friday, the score is 1-1, then
it appears that the strategy of the Swiss would be to field both Fed and Stan
in the doubles match, whereas France's doubles team can be composed of
two players who are not playing singles at all. Then the doubles match would
tire both Stan and Fed and on sunday, the rested French singles players would
have a stab at the tired Fed and Stan, leading to better odds of France winning
the tie.

If the score is 2-0 after the opening singles, most probably Fed would choose
not to play doubles and most probably Marco and Stan would play the doubles.
In that case Fed will surely win his next singles match and thus the tie (not to
mention that he will get 225 ranking points due to two singles match @75 each
and a tema bonus of 75, which he might potentially need to finish at YE #1,
if Novak or Rafa does not seal the deal before).

So, it is very very crucial for Switzerland to get off to a sound 2-0 start on Friday itself.

 

[Front242]

Personally I dunno why there's so much talk of Federer v Tsonga or Monfils when in actual fact he'd have much more trouble imo against Simon or Benneteau. Wawrinka in any case is the weak link for the Swiss and not Federer.

I agree with you. I think both Simon and Benneteau will give more trouble to Fed than
Tsonga or Monfils. For some reason, there is a match-up issue between Fed and Benneteau;
even though Fed has a winning record against him all the matches were tricky one way or
other.

Simon is another tricky counter puncher that bores you to death and then eventually wins.

The ideal strategy for France would be to field Simon and Benneteau against Fed and
Tsonga and Monfils against Wawrinka. Only problem is that the rules do not allow them
to field in such a selective manner.

Yeah, agree those 2 match ups would be the toughest for the Swiss and best options for the French. Simon has become a lot more aggressive lately and along with the boring counter punching it makes for a tricky match. He seems to be equal parts aggressive and counter punching lately. His match against Nadal at Rome was the most aggressive I've seen him play ever I'd say. He really played a great match but you could see it took a lot out of him as he doesn't usually play so aggressively and he was a bit exhausted in set 3. Similar to Murray against Djokovic at the USO this year, he played far more aggressively than usual but ended up sapping his energy.

If Simon could manage a decent blend of his usual counter punching mixed with that aggressive play from Rome and also how he played at this year's USO he'd be very tricky for Fed or anyone for that matter. Just ask Cilic. Hardest match he played at the USO was against Simon.

 

[Front242]

Llodra is an excellent doubles player too so France have a very strong player for doubles.

 

[Riotbeard]

Llodra is an excellent doubles player too so France have a very strong player for doubles.

France will have the edge in doubles no matter who is on the swiss team. Benneteau/ Llodra are a very good pair

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I agree. Most probably France's team would be Tsonga and Monfils in singles and
Benneteau and Llodra in doubles. Simon and Gasquet will not make the cut and will
only play dead rubbers.

It is enough if they announce the team 10 days before the tie and so they have
plenty of time to think about it. The deadline is around Nov. 20th.

One interesting question would be whether to pick the surface and then the
players based on the surface or pick the players and then choose the surface
that the selected players like.

 

[Federberg]

^They should focus on the surface that works best for their players. Fed and Stan are all court players. Clay might be best to neutralise Roger, but Stan is very effective on that.