Tag: Davis Cup

Spain captures second straight Davis Cup

December 5, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Feliciano López and Fernando Verdasco of Spain defeated Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in doubles to defend the Davis Cup trophy for their country. This is Spain’s fourth title overall, each of which have come in the new millennium. The United States holds the record for most Davis Cup championships with 32.

Stepanek netted a shot on match point to hand Spain the title at the same venue where it took its first title nine years ago. Lopez threw his wrist band to Crown Prince Felipe after the team bench emptied to chants of “campeones” (champions) at Palau Sant Jordi.
“We didn’t expect to win it this quickly,” captain Albert Costa said. “The key to this team has been its unity.”
Spain took advantage of Berdych’s shaky serve for three of its four breaks. Verdasco overcame early jitters to help clinch the title for the second straight year by scoring two key breaks, including in the 14th game of the second set. The ninth-ranked player won the deciding singles match in Argentina last year.
Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil selected Berdych and Stepanek — who were 5-0 in Davis Cup doubles coming into the match — despite both players losing their singles matches Friday. The original picks were Lukas Dlouhyand Jan Hajek
Berdych lost to Rafael Nadal, and Stepanek blew a two-set advantage in a four-hour defeat to David Ferrer.
Spain is unbeaten on clay in 20 straight series and has not lost at home since 1999 — a run of 18 opponents. It is only the fourth team to retain its title since the format changed in 1972.

It feels like ages ago since we heard something positive about Rafael Nadal. His performance in this tournament was essential to Spain’s success and I hope this experience boosts his confidence. Nadal is in his prime and still the most exciting player to watch in all of tennis. I’m ready to see some more showdowns between him and Federer.

Tennis

Davis Cup

Federer likely to play in Davis Cup

August 5, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

After the U.S. Open, the last notable event that takes place on the ATP calendar is the Davis Cup. It looks like the Swiss team just lucked out, because now Roger Federer is considering joining them in September.

Federer was missing due to a back injury when Switzerland lost 4-1 to the United States in the first round of the World Group in March at Birmingham, Alabama.
The Swiss face Italy in a playoff at Genoa on Sept. 18-20 to stay in the elite 16-team group with a chance to win the 2010 title.
Federer will be 29 when next year’s final is played, with few chances left to fulfill his ambition of winning a first Davis Cup title for Switzerland.
Luethi, who is also part of Federer’s coaching team, said the top-ranked player told him in May and again at Wimbledon that he intended to play in Italy.

It’s been a crazy year for Federer. First, he ties Pete Sampras in career Grand Slams at the French Open, only to break that very record the next month at Wimbledon. Then he wife gives birth to twin girls.

Though many tennis players don’t count a win at the Davis Cup as essential, it’s possibly the only accomplishment Federer doesn’t have in his storied career. Count on Fed and teammate Stanislas Wawrinka making a case for Switzerland against Russia and Spain down the stretch.

Tennis

Davis Cup Roger Federer Stanislas Wawrinka

Federer and Nadal to miss early round of Davis Cup

February 19, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Aside from the four Grand Slams, the Davis Cup is the other internationally popular event during the tennis calendar. The men’s event, which has existed since 1900, uses a multi-tiered system that pits country against country. While Spain won last year, the United States has won the event a record 32 times.

Unfortunately, both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the #1 and #2-ranked players on the men’s tour, have dropped out of the competition due to injury.

Roger Federer pulled out of Switzerland’s Davis Cup series against the United States next month and a tournament in Dubai next week because of a back problem that has bothered him since last year.
“As a precautionary measure, I will use the next few weeks to make sure the back injury is fully rehabilitated and I am ready for the rest of the 2009 season,” Federer said in a statement posted on his Web site Tuesday.
He has not played a competitive match since Feb. 1, when he lost to top-ranked Rafael Nadal in five sets in the Australian Open final. A victory over Nadal in that match would have allowed Federer to tie Pete Sampras’ career record of 14 majors.
A right leg injury could force Nadal to miss the Feb. 23-28 Dubai tournament, too, but he said Monday he hopes to play for Spain in the Davis Cup.
“This was a hard decision to make as I am missing not only one of my favorite events on tour in Dubai, but I am also missing out on an opportunity to help my country try and move on to the next round of Davis Cup,” Federer said.

I wonder if both Federer and Nadal are using this time to rest up and squeeze in some extra training before the French Open in May. The Australian Open could not have been any better for tennis, so I hope both of these guys are back to their full strength before the Grand Slam at Roland Garros.

The Davis Cup is a fairly big deal worldwide. It’s a shame that it never gets much attention in the U.S., especially since we tend to win the tournament quite often. With Nadal and Federer out, there will be even less an incentive for people to watch.

The first round of the Davis Cup will take place on March 6-8 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Tennis

Davis Cup Rafael Nadal Roger Federer