D Cup Final: Teams Nominated
Posted by gauloises1 on November 17, 2009
Just in case anyone’s forgotten about the forthcoming Davis Cup final, to be held in Barcelona starting December 4th; the probable team lineups have been leaked, if not officially confirmed.
According to the Davis Cup official website, the Czech Republic team captain Jaroslav Navratil will be sticking with the same lineup that got him this far; Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, Jan Hajek and Lukas Dlouhy. Not that he particularly had much choice, you’d think.
Choice is not particularly a problem for Albert Costa, Spain’s Davis Cup captain. According to marca.com, Costa is going with Nadal, Verdasco, Lopez and Ferrer (with the option of swapping in Robredo if the hamstring injury Ferru sustained recently in Valencia proves lingering).
Sad that Boss isn’t included, but it’s not surprising.
AmyLu said
I kind of figured Tommy might get the nod over JCF, just because he’s actually from Barcelona, and I thought that could factor into the decision. I still maintain that JCF is a much better choice than Tommy for singles in Davis Cup — I’m hoping Ferru is fit enough to play.
gauloises1 said
I shouldn’t think either Tommy or Ferru would play the singles anyway – wouldn’t that be Verdasco?
AmyLu said
I always think of the fourth person for that team as someone that may potentially play singles so I evaluate in that manner.
And, I’m honestly not sure if Verdasco will play singles. I think it may depend on his foot — I think they really want him to play doubles with Lopez so I’m guessing it will depend if he feels fresh enough/fit enough to play all three days.
And, if they are picking the fourth person mainly for doubles purposes, I’d go with Tommy over Ferru (and actually I’d consider making Tommy and Rafa the doubles team — they’ve won Monte Carlo together and somehow, bizarrely, made the semis of the USO together too.
meretricula said
my Spanish is nonexistent, but I think the article says Juanqui is sick, and that’s why he wasn’t chosen. (which would make sense because Ferru still has that hamstring injury and otherwise probably wouldn’t be the better pick of the two. a Spanish Davis Cup team where Nadal is the healthiest player – now that’s something you don’t see every day.)
AmyLu said
I didn’t actually read the article until you posted this (and note to self, I should probably read articles before commenting upon selections). Here’s a somewhat loose translation of the part about JCF — you’re spot-on that he was sick:
One of the big surprised in today’s announcement of the Davis Cup is the exclusion, not even as a reserve, of JCF. The Valencian, who helped in the previous two rounds, was left out in favor of Tommy Robredo.
Ferrero, who didn’t play in Paris because of a virus that weakened his immune system, will not be able to dress up at the site of the first Davis Cup where his career began taking off in 2000, when he was instrumental in the first Davis Cup won by Spanish tennis.
mina said
requisite shallow post:
the saddest part is that Rafa has the most unfortunate hair out of the entire Armada in that pic… actually, not just in that. tragic, really.
harini said
The Spain picture would be so much better if Ferru turned around.
Sad that JCF isn’t even included!
AmyLu said
Exciting news! It looks like JCF has been named as the reserve after all for Spain!
http://www.marca.com/2009/11/19/tenis/copa_davis/1258629164.html