Davis Cup 2018 - India
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Absolutely Outstanding..Amazing...
I just can't remember ..when the Opponents were 2Points awayfrom the Tie-Twice... Once..on their own serve..(Which you can virtually say as a Tie Point)& Once..On lenders's serve... but they forgot one thing..they had leander(Rambo) as their opponent ..both the times...
This robably was the closest tie that India pulled off..
I just can't remember ..when the Opponents were 2Points awayfrom the Tie-Twice... Once..on their own serve..(Which you can virtually say as a Tie Point)& Once..On lenders's serve... but they forgot one thing..they had leander(Rambo) as their opponent ..both the times...
This robably was the closest tie that India pulled off..
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
What a magnificent victory from Prajnesh. To beat the reigning US Open junior singles and doubles champion is a big deal any day, but to do it in a crunch tie, in the Chinese lion's den, and with all the pressure on him, is simply stupendous! What surely helped was that Prajnesh had experience behind him -- having won his debut Davis Cup singles match against Uzbekistan last year (in a live rubber on Day 1; ironically he lost the fifth rubber, but it was a dead one by then, as India was up 4-0).
And let nobody attempt to detract from what the turning point of this match was: it surely was those two fabulous tiebreaks to turn around a tight doubles match against a pair (Mao-Xin Gong and Ze Zhang) who had beaten Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniel (another pair of solidly world-class doubles players, now ranked 58 and 35 respectively) in their previous home Davis Cup match at the same venue, Tianjin, 64 64. We shouldn't kid ourselves that a pairing of Bopanna/Sharan or Bopanna/Raja would have been able to pull the same thing off. In a crunch situation like this, especially in Davis Cup, nothing matters more than nerves and experience -- both of which Leander alone possesses in spades. There is absolutely no reason for Leander to announce his DC retirement now, "gracefully" or otherwise. If he is still fit and playing at this level, we will need him again in September for the World Group play-off.
The Chinese captain bet it all on the doubles, and lost! He had his pair's form to go by, and fully expected them to come through for him again. But he hadn't reckoned with the greatest Davis Cup doubles player of all time.
So congratulations to the whole team for pulling off the massive win over China in China. Prajnesh evidently put up his hand, saying he wanted to play the fifth rubber -- all the more creditable for him. That we were able to win without the India #1 was even more impressive. We have real depth in singles and doubles now, and I can see us beating most of the other teams in the World Group play-off, especially the ones we have to play at home. These are exciting times for Indian men's tennis!
And let nobody attempt to detract from what the turning point of this match was: it surely was those two fabulous tiebreaks to turn around a tight doubles match against a pair (Mao-Xin Gong and Ze Zhang) who had beaten Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniel (another pair of solidly world-class doubles players, now ranked 58 and 35 respectively) in their previous home Davis Cup match at the same venue, Tianjin, 64 64. We shouldn't kid ourselves that a pairing of Bopanna/Sharan or Bopanna/Raja would have been able to pull the same thing off. In a crunch situation like this, especially in Davis Cup, nothing matters more than nerves and experience -- both of which Leander alone possesses in spades. There is absolutely no reason for Leander to announce his DC retirement now, "gracefully" or otherwise. If he is still fit and playing at this level, we will need him again in September for the World Group play-off.
The Chinese captain bet it all on the doubles, and lost! He had his pair's form to go by, and fully expected them to come through for him again. But he hadn't reckoned with the greatest Davis Cup doubles player of all time.
So congratulations to the whole team for pulling off the massive win over China in China. Prajnesh evidently put up his hand, saying he wanted to play the fifth rubber -- all the more creditable for him. That we were able to win without the India #1 was even more impressive. We have real depth in singles and doubles now, and I can see us beating most of the other teams in the World Group play-off, especially the ones we have to play at home. These are exciting times for Indian men's tennis!
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
jai_in_canada wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:37 pm Can't help but think that it was Leander who turned this tie around with his passion, grit and glory. His competitive fires still burn so bright that the other players have to be dead to not be inspired by it. He's more than just a great doubles player who almost single-handed guarantees the doubles point. He brings an X-factor to the team that no one else on the Indian team brings, and which makes the rest of the team better. He's just unique. And it's awe-inspiring to see that at his age and after all these years of competing he still cares so deeply about doing well - especially when it is for country. He's the true leader. A Jedi Master who's got the force and makes the others more forceful.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
With Yuki back in the side, and the likes of Prajnesh and Sumit competing for the third singles players slot, we will be a formidable team in the World Group play-off this year. If it is Japan, Britain, Netherlands or Canada in India, I think we will win (yes, even with Nishikori in the Japanese team; Britain will be slightly tougher if Andy Murray is fit, but I doubt he is coming back at all).
Yuki is a different player now, having beaten Pouille, started winning rounds regularly in Masters tournaments, and hopefully having won a few main draw rounds at Wimbledon and the US Open before the September tie comes around. RamK too continues to improve, and Prajnesh and Sumit offer us options depending on the court surface being used.
Switzerland, Serbia and Australia abroad will be somewhat tricky. But if Federer and Wawrinka aren't playing Switzerland won't be much of a team. Serbia's potency will depend on Djoker's availability, and Australia are mercurial, with the likes of Kyrgios and Kokkinanis classic on-again off-again players.
Yuki is a different player now, having beaten Pouille, started winning rounds regularly in Masters tournaments, and hopefully having won a few main draw rounds at Wimbledon and the US Open before the September tie comes around. RamK too continues to improve, and Prajnesh and Sumit offer us options depending on the court surface being used.
Switzerland, Serbia and Australia abroad will be somewhat tricky. But if Federer and Wawrinka aren't playing Switzerland won't be much of a team. Serbia's potency will depend on Djoker's availability, and Australia are mercurial, with the likes of Kyrgios and Kokkinanis classic on-again off-again players.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Agreed.jai_in_canada wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:37 pm Can't help but think that it was Leander who turned this tie around with his passion, grit and glory. His competitive fires still burn so bright that the other players have to be dead to not be inspired by it. He's more than just a great doubles player who almost single-handed guarantees the doubles point. He brings an X-factor to the team that no one else on the Indian team brings, and which makes the rest of the team better. He's just unique. And it's awe-inspiring to see that at his age and after all these years of competing he still cares so deeply about doing well - especially when it is for country. He's the true leader. A Jedi Master who's got the force and makes the others more forceful.
Single handedly carried the doubles match where Bopanna kept getting broken on serve, and then made the tough decision to play himself in the final match against the Chinese prodigy in the deciding rubber where he out-gunned the kid.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Sorry, mate. Didn't mean to touch that exposed nerve. You should get that looked at, by the way. In the meantime, get yourself an ice cream. It'll make you feel a little better.Sin Hombre wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 10:04 pmAgreed.jai_in_canada wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:37 pm Can't help but think that it was Leander who turned this tie around with his passion, grit and glory. ....
Single handedly carried the doubles match where Bopanna kept getting broken on serve, and then made the tough decision to play himself in the final match against the Chinese prodigy in the deciding rubber where he out-gunned the kid.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Yeah; let's just continue with the unabashed idol worship and not give Prajnesh, Ram and Mahesh their due.jai_in_canada wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 11:24 pmSorry, mate. Didn't mean to touch that exposed nerve. You should get that looked at, by the way. In the meantime, get yourself an ice cream. It'll make you feel a little better.Sin Hombre wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 10:04 pmAgreed.jai_in_canada wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:37 pm Can't help but think that it was Leander who turned this tie around with his passion, grit and glory. ....
Single handedly carried the doubles match where Bopanna kept getting broken on serve, and then made the tough decision to play himself in the final match against the Chinese prodigy in the deciding rubber where he out-gunned the kid.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Nice write up on the ATP website.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/atp ... ns-tribute
"Lee is just a one-of-a-kind type of guy," Mark Knowles told ATPWorldTour.com. "He has a unique ability to empower his partners and make them reach heights that maybe they didn’t believe they could attain."
Not just his partners - his entire DC team, as they showed in China.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/atp ... ns-tribute
"Lee is just a one-of-a-kind type of guy," Mark Knowles told ATPWorldTour.com. "He has a unique ability to empower his partners and make them reach heights that maybe they didn’t believe they could attain."
Not just his partners - his entire DC team, as they showed in China.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
His presence may well have had a motivational effect, but it is disrespectful of the rest of the team's abilities to motivate themselves and others, to put this all on LP. I don't think even LP would claim that he was the one who motivated Prajnesh, and he is the one who did the job. If anybody should get credit, it should be the captain. That is by default. I don't know if it was MB either. All said and done, I give credit pretty much to one guy - Prajnesh - who was up to the task and did his job, perhaps raising his own game a notch or two (I don't think 0 DFs to go with 7 aces is normal for him - and that shows focus). In fact his win and the way he completely dominated YW was the only real surprise in the end, especially after seeing the kind of tennis Yibing Wu played in the first match. LP-RB winning the doubles and RamK winning the reverse singles were very much expected results and even when LP-RB were facing defeat we knew that they had the experience to still get it done, which they did. Nobody really had a doubt on RamK's ability to beat Di Wu either. He probably needed a motivational lift to stay calm at the time he got tied 5-5 in the first set, which was probably given by MB, and that is it. Then we had Prajnesh, and he played error-free tennis and stayed focused to pull off a semi-miracle. We really have to ask Prajnesh what/who was motivating him, and I don't think he will say it was all LP.jai_in_canada wrote: ↑Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:13 amNot just his partners - his entire DC team, as they showed in China.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Actually, nobody needed to even participate. Leander would win all by himself. Not sure, what Bopanna was doing in doubles, all he had to do is to stand there and watch Leander, the master to execute it. I am very happy that India won, but to attribute the win to Leander is ridiculous. It was a team effort with shrewd captaincy.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Ugh. We can't even celebrate for 24 hours without this Leander vs not Leander nonsense rearing its ugly head? Let's drop it now.
Apart from Sumit, every guy on the team contributed massively. Let's celebrate a team performance, for once.
Apart from Sumit, every guy on the team contributed massively. Let's celebrate a team performance, for once.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Credit of Course goes to Entire Team as a Unit..
1. Mahesh as a Captain ---for Making the Decision of Playing Pragynesh in a Live Fifth Rubber..(A big Decision Indeed..if it had Faltered..who was to blame for Losing a Tie in the 5th Rubber??).
2.Pragynesh--For Showing Confidence & Guts--By delivering the Goods & Not showing any nerves in a Live 5th Rubber..
3.And Our Legend--Leander & Bops..--Who..if Not have got the 2 Pts Twice in the Doubles..Facing Almost Tie Point(Twice)..
GREAT WORK Team India...Enjoy...
1. Mahesh as a Captain ---for Making the Decision of Playing Pragynesh in a Live Fifth Rubber..(A big Decision Indeed..if it had Faltered..who was to blame for Losing a Tie in the 5th Rubber??).
2.Pragynesh--For Showing Confidence & Guts--By delivering the Goods & Not showing any nerves in a Live 5th Rubber..
3.And Our Legend--Leander & Bops..--Who..if Not have got the 2 Pts Twice in the Doubles..Facing Almost Tie Point(Twice)..
GREAT WORK Team India...Enjoy...
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Guys, just chill a little. Giving credit is not a zero sum game. It's not like there's only a limited amount of credit to go around in the Universe - that by giving Leander credit it takes away from the other players. The other guys on the team are obvioysly excellent players in their own right with commitment to win for country, and had a part to play in the amazing win. That includes Sumit, even though he lost his match - he was there and played the opening singles in tough conditions. And RamK, who arguably had even more pressure than Prajnesh playing the first reverse singles in a must-win situation (but that's yet another debate). It's just that i happen to believe that Leander's passion and record victory likely helped boost the confidence and energy of the rest of the team to win from what looked like a hopeless position. Not sure how that is disrespectful to the rest of the team.
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
Another Positive from the China Tie..
The Tie Really tested Our Bench Strenght in the Absence of Yuki ..it will Probably Give us India & Mahesh more Options for further Ties..with Ram/Pragnyesh/Sumit/etc..& Also Saket...Its a Tough Competition there..as well to Play the Singles..
Good Work Team..India...
The Tie Really tested Our Bench Strenght in the Absence of Yuki ..it will Probably Give us India & Mahesh more Options for further Ties..with Ram/Pragnyesh/Sumit/etc..& Also Saket...Its a Tough Competition there..as well to Play the Singles..
Good Work Team..India...
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Re: Davis Cup 2018 - India
This was a truly team effort where each member was a vital cog for the end result and wouldn't have happened if any one would not have performed
Looking at the Davis Cup around the world it is so heartening to see all the top names spiiling their blood for the Nation
Nadal from his injury ,Delpo, Sock,Isner, the complete ensemble of world tennis was doing National Duty
Leander and Boppanna never or hardly talk to each other , but when it came to playing for the Nation it was a different story all together
Sadly this commitment to play for the country as shown by LP/Bops, and the top guys in world for their respective nations was sorely lacking in Yuki.
Looking at the Davis Cup around the world it is so heartening to see all the top names spiiling their blood for the Nation
Nadal from his injury ,Delpo, Sock,Isner, the complete ensemble of world tennis was doing National Duty
Leander and Boppanna never or hardly talk to each other , but when it came to playing for the Nation it was a different story all together
Sadly this commitment to play for the country as shown by LP/Bops, and the top guys in world for their respective nations was sorely lacking in Yuki.