DAVIS CUP – THE BRITS… ET LES BLEUS BY ROS SATAR

Written by: on 16th July 2015
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DAVIS CUP – THE BRITS… ET LES BLEUS BY ROS SATAR  |

On a promise of catching a fleeting glimpse of the famous Global Chick, I sauntered to the headquarters of BNP Paribas at Marylebone, strolling past the quite astoundingly large trophy, but like tube-trains passing in the underground, the Chick was gone.

 

Ever the eager journalist, I sniffed out the refreshments on show – coffee and biscuits shaped like Madeleine cakes, and as a colleague and I decided to shift over to what appeared to be the Brit side of the room, in the interests of entente cordiale, I abandoned my coffee cup. Well, the French do like coffee don’t they?

 

We were down in London town to see the Davis Cup quarter-final draw for the encounter between Great Britain and France. Excited employees in the BNP Paribas offices pressed their noses up against the glass wall outside as the heavy wooden doors swung shut, with the teams sat perched up on bar stools as the singles nominations were announced.

 

Surprise numéro un of the day was that Wimbledon semi-finalist Richard Gasquet was not included – instead he would/could be joining Nicolas Mahut in the doubles. But remember all of this can change, as Leon Smith confirmed at the start of the British press conference.

 

He said: “I mean that’s the advantage of the strength that they’ve got. They’re such a strong team. Maybe he’s got a few niggles or something, he had a great Wimbledon, so without knowing everything, he may change his mind.”

 

The same of course is true for the Brits. Every tie where Andy is playing, the possibility of him playing all three matches is put forward, but let’s not forget this is a best of five set extravaganza, and unlike a Slam he has to play every day.

 

But of course we are a long way from that yet. Getting over the surprise of Gasquet’s benching, the draw put James Ward in the frame for the opening match at Friday lunchtime against Gilles Simon, with Andy Murray taking on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

 

As it happens, Ward and Simon are rather pally, having coaches who were chums on the tour, and practicing a lot, knowing each other’s games.

 

Ward said: “I know him better than the other guys, I practice with him a lot so he knows my game just as well as I know his. Just need to stay aggressive and try and play my game and not worry too much about him.”

 

A little later down the line, Simon backed up the statement, admitting that he probably knew Ward the best from the other members of the team, but will not be underestimating him.

 

“I know what to expect, it will be hard but I think it will be a good match.”

Given Ward’s propensity for epic five setters that put everyone through the wringer, it could be a while before the younger Murray gets his chance against Tsonga.

 

Ever the tactician, he edged him once before in a rare Monday final at Queen’s, when this not-so-young aspiring journalist got to watch Murray win a title for the first time.

 

Murray assessed Tsonga for us: “He’s an explosive player, he can serve big, he can get to the net quickly, he can be dangerous. He likes the grass, he likes coming forward and playing up at the net.

 

“The things that I’ll look for is to try and play a very consistent match from start to finish. If his level drops at times where he makes a few errors, try to capitalize on that, but he’s a tough tough guy to beat on this surface.”

 

Part of the fun of the draw press conference is deciphering the banter than goes on between the Brits. Suited and booted, Les Bleus and The Brits hit the official team dinners, and the team game of the tie for the Brits has been for them to rank themselves (looks, the total package… no lie!) with Murray trying to explain none too tactfully how Ward fared.

 

“We played one game where we basically everyone has to give themselves a rating out of 10, for their looks, actually yes [the] total package, and then everyone else has to then mark you and see how close to reality you are. Wardy was way off [lots of laughter]

 

“So like the doctor you’d score points for intelligence… Wardy… [trails off to a lot more laughter]”

 

Poor Wardy. But let’s take a minute to rejoice his elevation into the Top 100. Sure his draw opened up and he took full advantage of it, after his first round opponent David Ferrer had to withdraw before Wimbledon started. We could debate this until the cows attempt to graze on the grass at Queen’s but let’s be fair – the boy can only play who’s on the other side of the net. Of course he needs to translate that into success on the rest of the tour.

 

Despite their loss to an inspired Swiss team in last year’s final, French team captain Arnaud Clement assured us that his team were extremely motivated and with their top three players here and almost shoulder-to-shoulder in the rankings, they make a challenge for the hosts that is très formidable.

 

But Murray used the chance to point out that this was no chance for him to grab Davis Cup glory personally, instead praising everyone to the hilt.

 

“We’re here as a team, everyone played a part in getting us here from Leon to the players to all of the staff. Everyone has been in this together and no, I wouldn’t say winning this year is the chance of the lifetime because we’re playing against a great team.

“It’s not like this is an amazing opportunity because the draw has opened up, this is an easy match or we have an easy path through to the final. It is extremely tough tie, beating the States was hard as well, and yeah it’s an opportunity obviously, but opportunity of a lifetime for me personally, no I don’t agree with that at all.”

 

Murray gets it in the neck sometimes in this green and pleasant land – we won’t dwell on the idiocy here, but if anyone has ever doubted his resolve to be part of Team GB, read those words, maybe watching his London 2012 Olympic Gold win.

 

With drive like that… honestly who would count against the Brits to rule at Queen’s?

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