2014 Davis Cup

[10isfan]

Why Gasquet instead of Chardy? He won a major doubles title with Benneteau.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Is Simon on the team as an alternative, I would rather see him play Fed instead of JowillieTs

Simon is not a member of the team announced. So, he cannot be brought in unless France
can successfully claim that one of its team members got injured. I don't think they will try to do so either.

France can change the reverse singles line-up by bringing in Benneteau or Gasuqet.
However, I don't think they will do that either.

They will stick with Tsonga and Monfils. Although I would give Switzerland slight edge in both the matches, it is still up in the air and I don't think there is any big favorite under the current circumstances.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Whether or not France wins, I think they made good decisions.

1. Their choice of court is good
2. Their choice of city is good
3. Their team choice is also good.
4. Their choice of players for singles is also good.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is very good that not only Fedrinka won the doubles match, but finished it off in three sets.
This would prove crucial as one or both of them have to play tomorrow.

As an aside, Fed now ties the record for most wins in DC matches (49) by Swiss Player
(ties with an unknown player called Jakob). If he wins tomorrows reverse singles matches,
Fed will be the sole record holder. What a fitting way it would be to break the record while
at the same time winning the Cup?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

According to this article in tennis.com, Tsonga is having pain in elbow and is not likely to play in the reverse singles against Fed on sunday.

Apparently, Tsonga practiced with Gasquet today with the intention of playing in the doubles match, but finally Tsonga choose not to play because of the pain felt.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed's H2H against possible subs.

Fed. vs. Gasquet

Overall 12-2; Clay 2-2; indoor clay 0-0

Fed vs. Benneteau

Overall 6-2; Clay 2-0; indoor clay 0-0.

Fed vs. Simon

Overall 5-2; Clay 2-0; indoor clay 0-0.

Tsonga's injury might give the France, the ability to bring in Simon.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

^Gasquet would not be a good choice. Benneteau bothered Roger before so , maybe...Simon is one guy that can extend rallies and test the limits of Roger's back when he is on.


I would still take Tsonga over all of the above though, if possible.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I read through the complicated rules book. It says that the substitution for the reverse
singles has to come from the team originally announced. So, Simon is not possible as a sub.

If they want to replace Tsonga, they have to do so with either Benneteau or Gasquet.
Gasquet is a known commodity and his inability to deliver on important matches is well known.
So, if at all they substitute it will most probably be Benneteau. While that is a better choice
than Gasquet, I doubt that even that will work properly. Benneteau is again a player not
known to raise to the occasion consider his terrible record in ATP finals.

Also, if the officials feel that the injury is not obvious, they can get the "injured player"
tested through an ITF doctor. So, just a doctor's note from a friendly doctor would not do.

I think it is probably better for France to play Tsonga, unless he is really carrying a
serious injury.

 

[Fiero425]

I read through the complicated rules book. It says that the substitution for the reverse
singles has to come from the team originally announced. So, Simon is not possible as a sub.

If they want to replace Tsonga, they have to do so with either Benneteau or Gasquet.
Gasquet is a known commodity and his inability to deliver on important matches is well known.
So, if at all they substitute it will most probably be Benneteau. While that is a better choice
than Gasquet, I doubt that even that will work properly. Benneteau is again a player not
known to raise to the occasion consider his terrible record in ATP finals.

Also, if the officials feel that the injury is not obvious, they can get the "injured player"
tested through an ITF doctor. So, just a doctor's note from a friendly doctor would not do.

I think it is probably better for France to play Tsonga, unless he is really carrying a
serious injury.

France should be "rather deep," but ego-mania has to have something to do with this! They could have fielded a better doubles' pairing! They were weak and it was over very early on! They had opportunities, didn't cash in, then they were done after the first few games! It wasn't even a contest! I suppose it may have to do with the last minute change for the Suisse; I know I was shocked to see Federer come out there to play! He was supposed to be in traction; if you listened to the commentary from Friday's disaster! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[herios]

Why Gasquet instead of Chardy? He won a major doubles title with Benneteau.

No, he did not.
Roger-Vasselin was who won the slam with Benneteau.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The mystry behind the success of the Swiss doubles team's efficient win (after losing four
times in a row) is revealed in this article by Peter Bodo. Apparently,
the coach of Bryan Brothers (Macpherson) was hired as a consulting coach for the Swiss Team
with a specific eye on doubles match. The coach apparently laid out the scheme for these
guys to go out and win quickly. Note that winning the doubles match is not their only
objective under the circumstances, they also wanted to do it as quickly as possible as
they have to play the next day.

 

[Kieran]

Oh that's nasty. If the injury isn't "obvious" they could be asked to submit to yet another doctor? I mean, who in their senses would replace Tsonga with Gasquet if Tsonga was fit? :ras:

 

[bajana]

Since France only announced a 4-man squad, I think that means Clement would be a playing captain; as far as I gather you're allowed that combination, or a 5-man team with a non-playing captain.

So in the unlikely event that Tsonga, Gasquet and Benneteau were all injured, then Clement would be the next (and last) option --subject to correction, of course

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh that's nasty. If the injury isn't "obvious" they could be asked to submit to yet another doctor? I mean, who in their senses would replace Tsonga with Gasquet if Tsonga was fit? :ras:

Please after watching Ritchie playing doubles for France,he was the weak link?
I question why he was picked in the first place.....uzzled

 

[Denis]

Gasquet is replacing Tsonga lol.

 

[mrzz]

France should be "rather deep," but ego-mania has to have something to do with this! They could have fielded a better doubles' pairing!

That was exactly my point, I guess I posted it a month ago. They definetly should have fielded to whole doubles team.

The substitute singles player argument (agains fielding the whole doubles team) does not hold. What difference does it make calling in Gasquet instead of Benetteau (to substitute one of the singles players)?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

From Douglas Robson on Twitter,

Federer v Gasquet confirmed for 1st singles match

Federer is 12-2 vs Gasquet,but 2-2 on clay.Federer defeated him 61 62 4R at Miami this year.

Tsonga is injured,reason why Gasquet is replacing him,I have heard it was a elbow injury.Still trying to get confirmation regarding the specific injury.

 

[the AntiPusher]

From Douglas Robson on Twitter,

Federer v Gasquet confirmed for 1st singles match

Federer is 12-2 vs Gasquet,but 2-2 on clay.Federer defeated him 61 62 4R at Miami this year.

Tsonga is injured,reason why Gasquet is replacing him,I have heard it was a elbow injury.Still trying to get confirmation regarding the specific injury.

Why not Simon, he can easily give Roger a more competitive match. Damn French decision making is suspect

 

[the AntiPusher]

Is Simon on the team as an alternative, I would rather see him play Fed instead of JowillieTs

Simon is not a member of the team announced. So, he cannot be brought in unless France
can successfully claim that one of its team members got injured. I don't think they will try to do so either.

France can change the reverse singles line-up by bringing in Benneteau or Gasuqet.
However, I don't think they will do that either.

They will stick with Tsonga and Monfils. Although I would give Switzerland slight edge in both the matches, it is still up in the air and I don't think there is any big favorite under the current circumstances.

Thx GSM, it doesn't look good for the French

 

[Federberg]

can't believe the French are playing Gasquet in a critical singles? Did they transplant something on to him that we don't know about?