Davis Cup 2020- India

[Sanjay]

PG struggling against a guy ranked in 400s.

[jayakris]

And Prajnesh lost 36 67(1)...

[sameerph]

RamK loses the first set 4-6.

[vparam]

PG struggling against a guy ranked in 400s.

Rankings mean nothing when it’s taken into context. PG is a journeyman playing near the end of his career while his opponent is a young up and comer who will be moving up the rankings in short order. I honestly would have been pleasantly surprised had PG won.

[jayakris]

For the record, RamK lost to Ruusuvuori, 46 75... RamK had 2 breaks but got broken 4 times.... Strangely he had only one ace today. That won't win him any matches, but otherwise it seems he played okay

[Sanjay]

I miss the days of VA and RK in the mid 80s. It used to be an event to watch Davis Cup over the weekend.

Watched in 86, 87 and 88.

[sameerph]

For the record, RamK lost to Ruusuvuori, 46 75... RamK had 2 breaks but got broken 4 times.... Strangely he had only one ace today. That won't win him any matches, but otherwise it seems he played okay

I watched large part of the match and RamK was not serving and volleying as well as he has been doing in recent weeks. Only 1 ace as you said and volleys too lacked punch. Rest of his game from the back of the court was good but when best part of your game is not working well, you will not win such matches.

[vparam]

We lose the doubles 6-7(2) 6-7(2). RamK replaced Divij and played alongside Bops.

[Sanjay]

PG wins in garbage time of the tie.

In the old days Davis Cup matches would be 5 sets. These days no one seems to care so they send 3rd string players and just best of 3.

[jayakris]

^^^ ITF killed Davis Cup, basically. We knew this would happen.

[jayakris]

AITA needs to get their act together (which they don't want to, the family operation it is)... Make Somdev our DC captain.

[Florian Buechting]

Hi,
sorry that I could not join you earlier. Super-buzy with working for ITD here in Espoo. Still a lot to do, but if you want to have some pictures (the match report is the same as ITD, here is the Day 1 coverage on my homepage:

https://flyctory.com/2021/09/18/davis-c ... 2021-day1/

My thoughts: we need a Davis Cup player in singles again. Regardless of his original ranking, someone who can push himself far over the limits if there is the Indian flag around. And you need a staff around the team which is showing the players how to do it. The potential list of candidates is likely small - Lee, Hesh, Bops one day, Somdev...

To me, the most illustrating match was the dead rubber today. I am sure that on the tour, Prajnesh would have won this one 6-1 6-2-ish.. And he started like this. Other stat: three tie-breaks, all three really poorly lost. Tennis coaches teach you topspin, slice and service... Davis Cup teaches you mental excellence. Jarkko was the by far better mental coach.

[jaydeep]

Thanks Florian for your thoughts and sharing link of your report.

[sameerph]

Thanks, Florian for the link. Also nice to see you back on the forum after some time.

[jayakris]

Florian, as usual, i was thinking of you, just when Davis Cup started. All of the great positive energy you give to the Indian team wasn't enough this time though... But it's always great to see you, the best fan of the Indian Davis Cup team ever!