Today’s Men’s News (4/5) – Davis Cup

Written by: Staff on 5th April 2013

Today's Men's News (4/5) - Davis Cup

epa02922938 Czech Republic's Jan Hajek returns to Romania's Victor Crivoi during their single tennis match Romania vs Czech Republic, counting for Davis Cup play-off, in Bucharest, Romania, 18 September 2011. Czech Republic defeated Romanians with a final score of 5-0 at the end of their play-off game. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT |

Davis Cup

In Davis Cup, the draw can make all the difference.

Had the Czech Republic had to face, say, France in the absence of Tomas Berdych, they would have been in great trouble. But they were facing Kazakhstan. Even without Berdych, the Czechs were stronger than the hosts. Jan Hajek, who seems to struggle in big matches, didn’t struggle this time; he thumped Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3 6-2 6-4. The second match was at least interesting; Andrei Golubev briefly played up to his ability, but then he lost control. Lukas Rosol put the Czechs up 4-6 6-4 6-2 7-6. And the Czechs will have Radek Stepanek for doubles at least….

On the whole, the Argentine decision to play France on clay is looking pretty good. Or at least not disastrous. They’re tied after the first day — and the Argentines have actually won more sets. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the first point for France, but it was a nailbiter; he edged Carlos Berlocq 4-6 6-2 6-3 5-7 6-2. Then Juan Monaco overcame his recent poor form to beat Gilles Simon 7-6 6-2 6-4. The French are clearly the favorites in the doubles. But if both Argentines play as well in the reverse singles as they did on Friday, they might earn three singles points….

The good news for the American team was that Novak Djokovic has been a little off. Problem is, John Isner has been a little off, too. The off-iness seemed to balance out, as they produced about what you would expect in a Djokovic-Isner match. Djokovic put the Serbian visitors up 7-6 6-2 7-5.

That put a tremendous amount of pressure on Sam Querrey; if he lost his match with Viktor Troicki, that would be pretty close to it. He started well, then seemed to lose it. He ended strong, though leveling the tie 7-6 3-6 4-6 6-1 6-4.

It still feels as if Isner versus Troicki will decide this thing.

Vasek Pospisil did a fine job of scaring Canada’s Andreas Seppi. Unfortunately, that’s all he could do; Seppi won the opening match of the Canada/Italy tie 5-7 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-3. And Pospisil still has to play doubles on Saturday; Seppi gets to rest.

We will have the result of the second match tomorrow. At least Milos Raonic was able to take the court — and hit three aces in his very first service game!