Davis Cup Finals 2023, Malaga, Spain

[MargaretMcAleer]

Italy has a reasonable chance. At this point Popyrin seems better in singles than Sonego, but it is Davis Cup and anything can happen. Last week Sonego was trashed by Fognini in some ATP tournament (and now Fognini is in a final of a challenger, he is trending well but he is not in a team this year). Due to Musetti failure to win today plus his leg concern I guess it has to be Sonego tomorrow for Italy and he just has to win. Or will they risk with Musetti? Musetti certainly has a bigger chance to win if he is feeling okay, but it doesn't look like the way he lost last 2 sets today.

Musetti is still a Head Case in big matches, also I question his fitness? if they play Sonego they still have Bolelli as a experienced doubles player, who was going to play the doubles with Sonego today, before they switched to Sinner

 

[Moxie]

Dont forget Bols they could still use him

Bolelli? I wouldn't go with him in singles, and I wouldn't bet against Sinner/Sonego, as at least they have a rhythm.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bolelli? I wouldn't go with him in singles, and I wouldn't bet against Sinner/Sonego, as at least they have a rhythm.

Bolelli for doubles not singles he was down to play with Sonego before they changed to Sinner today

 

[Moxie]

My commentators on the match say Italy must play Sonego for the singles
We shall see, I still havent got much faith in Musetti, he had a leg issues in his match today, and to me isnt a good high match player

I do think they have to play Sonego. But here's the problem with that: If Italy doesn't win both singles, then you have a more tired doubles team, against fresh doubles specialists.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Adrenalin is also a bonus in big matches, so it wont surprise me if the tie goes to doubles Sinner/Sonego might play

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I do think they have to play Sonego. But here's the problem with that: If Italy doesn't win both singles, then you have a more tired doubles team, against fresh doubles specialists.

Agree, though 'Adrenalin' can win big matches, thats my winning card lol!

 

[Moxie]

Some interesting facts regarding about Sinner's amazing level of play:

Before October, Sinner was 1-4 against Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev

Since the start of October, Sinner is 6-1 against Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev

Who would have thought that Sinner will have a record of 7-5 against the Top 3 players in the world in 2023?!

vs. Djokovic 2-2
vs. Alcaraz 2-1
vs. Medvedev 3-2

Sinner has definitely improved, and seems to be coming to full-flower, as we were hoping. He was making some very mature tactical choices against Novak today. I think a combination of maturity, better strength, and a lot of Darren Cahill.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think we are forgetting that Jannik has 2 coaches
Simone Vagnozzi who dosent get a lot of praise as I feel he should
Simone works on the 'technical stuff' with Jannik on the court
Cahill role is more the 'mental aspects' of the game'
They both gel together for Jannik which is most pleasing and the results are speaking for themselves especially the later part of this year

 

[Moxie]

I think we are forgetting that Jannik has 2 coaches
Simone Vagnozzi who dosent get a lot of praise as I feel he should
Simone works on the 'technical stuff' with Jannik on the court
Cahill role is more the 'mental aspects' of the game'
They both gel together for Jannik which is most pleasing and the results are speaking for themselves especially the later part of this year

I don't know Simone Vagnozzi, but surely he's doing a good job. We sort of blew past here what Sinner did to hold at the end of his singles match v. Novak, and then to break, but that was champion's mentality/quality stuff. Particularly that hold at 0-40 down at 4-5. Sinner has grown a lot this year.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don't know Simone Vagnozzi, but surely he's doing a good job. We sort of blew past here what Sinner did to hold at the end of his singles match v. Novak, and then to break, but that was champion's mentality/quality stuff. Particularly that hold at 0-40 down at 4-5. Sinner has grown a lot this year.

Jannik's mentality has come on in leaps and bounds this year, that hold down 0-40 at 4-5 was a testament to that fact.Champions stuff! especially as his serve had been under the pump in the final set

 

[rafanoy1992]

Also, Sinner’s leg muscles are starting to get bigger as I noticed it today on TV. That means he is getting there physically!

 

[kskate2]

That's not a hard-and-fast rule, and a poor calculation. De Minaur has an 0-5 h2h v. Sinner. Wouldn't Australia be better to trust De Minaur to win his singles over either of the Lorenzos, then bet on their doubles team?

Here are the rules straight from the book

 

[rafanoy1992]

Here are the rules straight from the book
View attachment 8971

View attachment 8972

Thank you! If that’s the case, then I stand by on what I posted earlier: Whichever team wins the 1st singles match, more than likely that team wins Davis Cup. Unless of course De Minaur upsets Sinner or the Italian Doubles team upsets Ebden/Purcell team

 

[Moxie]

Here are the rules straight from the book
View attachment 8971

View attachment 8972

LOL! As soon as I wrote: there's "no hard-and-fast rule," I figured you might show me there was. So the captains have no choice?

Also, so Musetti is Italy's #2 and Popyrin is Australia's #2. What if Musetti is injured? Then Popyrin has to play Arnaldi, who is 3 points higher than Sonego?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I will wait until the Italian Captain submits his singles players, before I make any call who will win, either team have a good chance of winning, I would prefer Italy to win 2-0, in singles, that is my Heart saying not my head
Australia have a good doubles team in Ebden and Purcell, if it comes down to doubles they will be hard to beat
Italy has not won a DC final since 1976
Last time they were in a final was 1998

 

[kskate2]

LOL! As soon as I wrote: there's "no hard-and-fast rule," I figured you might show me there was. So the captains have no choice?

28 days before the event a list of nominated players must be submitted for each team. The captains can pick from the nominated list, but the rankings rule will apply which dictates #1 and #2. There's more freedom in the world group because they play reverse singles spread out over 2 days. The knockout rounds are played in one day so you have to smartly pick from your nominations list

 

[Moxie]

Also, Sinner’s leg muscles are starting to get bigger as I noticed it today on TV. That means he is getting there physically!

I was looking at his long limbs today. I know why @kskate2 calls him "String bean." OK, I see a bit more definition there. And tall players do take longer to fill out. He's never going to have the legs of Holger Rune, or the shoulders of Rafa or Carlitos or Stan, for that matter. But he'll play to his strengths, and he went a long way down the road to showing that he can, in the past 2 weeks.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I was looking at his long limbs today. I know why @kskate2 calls him "String bean." OK, I see a bit more definition there. And tall players do take longer to fill out. He's never going to have the legs of Holger Rune, or the shoulders of Rafa or Carlitos or Stan, for that matter. But he'll play to his strengths, and he went a long way down the road to showing that he can, in the past 2 weeks.

Remember watching a player on TV isnt the same as watching them live, Rafa for example looks bigger on TV and in person he isnt that big I can assure you,
Jannik will never have big legs, his frame is thin, still I think he has shown in the last couple of months physical wise he is stronger which bodes well for next year
As I did say to Keli Janniks legs look thick compared to Chris Eubanks

 

[rafanoy1992]

I was looking at his long limbs today. I know why @kskate2 calls him "String bean." OK, I see a bit more definition there. And tall players do take longer to fill out. He's never going to have the legs of Holger Rune, or the shoulders of Rafa or Carlitos or Stan, for that matter. But he'll play to his strengths, and he went a long way down the road to showing that he can, in the past 2 weeks.

It is why Sinner’s return of serve technique is amazing to watch in person and in TV. He does not have the biggest physical tools, but his anticipation and technique are world class!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sinner's fhand has been on 'fire' today in his match and also the tie so far, hopefully it continues tomorrow against Aussies!