“10s Whenever” Newsletter Vol. 125

Written by: Staff on 1st February 2014

"10s Whenever" Newsletter Vol. 125

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Some old-fashioned patriotic pride

Querrey Carries USA’s Slim Hopes

by John Freeman

SAN DIEGO – It’s come to this: A Sunday singles showdown at noon between Great Britain’s Andy Murray and the USA’s Sam Querrey.

Saturday’s four-set doubles win by the top-ranked USA duo of Bob and Mike Bryan over the British team of Colin Fleming and Dominic Inglot, subbing for Andy Murray, was wholly expected.

Now, entering Sunday’s two singles matches, the Brits hold a commanding 2-1 lead, yet a smidgeon of hope remains.

USA captain Jim Courier prefers to disregard the fact that the USA faces long odds. Since 1981, when initially trailing 1-2, the USA’s all-time record is 3 wins and 20 defeats. Not overly promising.

“For Sam, it’s a free-swinging match,” said Courier. “Hopefully he’ll go out there and let it fly and we’ll see where the chips fall. Andy knows if he loses, everything is on the table in that fifth match.”

Querrey faces long odds against the Scot, whose opening singles match was a straight-set win over first-timer Donald Young.

It was Friday’s shocker, the five-set conquest of No. 49-ranked Sam Querrey by relative unknown James Ward, ranked 179, that put the Americans in a huge hole.

Querrey has only one win over No. 6 Murray in six career tries. The two have yet to meet on clay.

“He’s going to have to play significantly better than he did Friday to stand a chance,” said Courier, stating the obvious.

Meanwhile, the Bryan Brothers’ convincing 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win fully satisfied the home-court fans at Petco Park, especially those dressed in Revolutionary garb and wildly waving Old Glory.