Tennis

[tricky_colour]

Murray was 2 love down and almost out, it's now 2-2.
I don't watch tennis much but this has a good atmosphere now.

[tricky_colour]

Well he won it in the end, I missed most of it cos I was fixing my computer(s).
He effectively came back from a point off 3 sets down.

[Stevo Da Gull]

:) I'm a big tennis fan, I guess this can be the new tennis thread. Brilliant stuff from Murray, his attitude and energy were fantastic throughout (and the tennis wasn't bad either), kind of takes my mind off of Hewitt's loss earlier :(

[pineapple stu]

Bloody hell. I left off watching Turkey v Czech Republic at 0-2 'cos I thought it was over, and now I leave off watching Murray v Gasquet at 0-2 'cos I thought it was all over!

Next time UCD go 2-0 down, I'm off down the pub.

[Stevo Da Gull]

Well Nadal walked past Murray in straight sets in the QF today. Murray looked a bit tired but I'm not sure he'd of been in the match anyway with Rafa in this form.

Looks like Nadal - Federer take 18 (3rd Wimbledon final) is coming this Sunday.

[Dunny]

Nadal new Wimbledon mens champion.

[sonofstan]

Fabulous match

[Stevo Da Gull]

Well done to Rafa. He's an phenomenal champion.

[Hibernian]

Fabulous match

it was indeed what a game.

not biggest tennis fan just watch little bits but this game had it all

i was going for Nadal taught he had blown it couple times but he is top notch player with lot great shots

[shakermaker1982]

I was getting tense. I haven't seen a game like that for years (the year Ivanisevic beat Rafter in the final). Two outstanding players and even though Federer has won it 5 times I did feel sorry for the guy.

[jebus]

That was a proper sporting moment yesterday to stand among Ali-Frasier, Ali-Foreman, Brazil 70, Maradona 86, and England vs Australia in the rugby World Cup final (among others). Fantastic advert for the game

[Pauro 76]

That was a proper sporting moment yesterday to stand among Ali-Frasier, Ali-Foreman, Brazil 70, Maradona 86, and England vs Australia in the rugby World Cup final (among others). Fantastic advert for the game

Not a huge tennis fan but was drawn into watching this one and was glad I did. Excellent game. Delighted for Nadal!

[OwlsFan]

Yes, great game aided by the fact that both mostly played from the baseline and in a good spirit. Haven't watched tennis for years and liked the fact that they can appeal against a limited number of line calls. Technology is great. Would have curbed McEnroe's rants in the old days.

[bennocelt]

That was a proper sporting moment yesterday to stand among Ali-Frasier, Ali-Foreman, Brazil 70, Maradona 86, and England vs Australia in the rugby World Cup final (among others). Fantastic advert for the game


ah hold on there man, it is tennis after all

Sorry to rain on the parade, but its all a good bit gay for me

Myabe its the affect of watching Phil taylor on saturday night that kind of put me off the tennis on sunday:)

[Stevo Da Gull]

Roger Federer, who has been world number 1 since February 2004 IIRC, lost in the second round of The Rogers Cup Masters event in Toronto this week which means that a strong showing from Nadal at the remaining Masters Series events, U.S. Open and Masters Cup will see him take the number one ranking. Rafa will be around 300 points behind Roger if he wins Toronto this week, Roger won the US Open last year (1000 points) while Rafa only made R4 so Rafa could be the world number one by the years end without having to beat Federer again.

[HarpoJoyce]

Davis Cup Weekend in World, Group I and Group II.
Ireland are competing in Algiers at the moment in their first round Group II match in the Euro./Africa region. 1-1 after day 1 singles.

http://www.daviscup.com/results/ea2.asp

Ireland should be 2-0 up going on ranking but James McGee (563 ) lost to Eddy Chala (1263).
http://www.daviscup.com/results/tieresult.asp?tie=100012305

The Doubles rubber today is a bit of a lottery the Davis Cup website doesn't give Saoudi a ranking but a newspaper mentioned he was a former 220 singles ranking while the irish pair are both outside 500 for their doubles ranking. But if Conor Niland can win his match again tomorrow then the doubles or the other singles will be enough for ireland to progress.

Ireland are a bit of a yo-yo team for the last few years between Group II and Group III, this is the second year in a row they are in Group II which is a long time for them.
http://www.daviscup.com/teams/team.asp?team=IRL

In better news Our Andy had to retire from the GB side with suspected glandular fever. Luckily, he is NOT, I repeat NOT suffering from GF but it is still expected to be a viral infection.

It severly weakens the GB team and they are already 0-2 down to Ukraine in Scotland. They do have one doubles expert Ross Hucthins coming in today.
http://www.daviscup.com/ties/tie.asp?tie=100012277

[HarpoJoyce]

James McGee and Colin O'Brien won their Doubles match
7-5,3-6, 6-7, 6-2,6-4
http://www.daviscup.com/results/tieresult.asp?tie=100012305

Reads like a tough game.

I just found out Algeria's number 1 Lamine Ouahab (ranked 153) refused to play. Requesting back-dated appearance money
http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/top-algerian-ouahab-lays-down-tools-to-put-irish-in-driving-seat-1663344.html

[HarpoJoyce]

Conor Niland won his singles match today and means Ireland win their game v. Algeria.


http://www.rte.ie/sport/tennis/2009/0308/daviscup.html
"Ireland have won their Davis Cup tie against Algeria 4-1 in the Euro Africa Zone Group two after winning both today's singles rubbers in Algiers.

Conor Niland ensured victory for Ireland when he defeated Eddie Chala in straight sets 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.

That gave the Irish an unassailable 3-1 lead and then in the dead rubber Colin O'Brien won his match 6-4, 6-4 to seal the 4-1 win.

Ireland will play either Portugal or Cyprus in the next round away from home in July."

[Stevo Da Gull]

It would be great for the Irish lads to play against Cyprus, and compete against a player of the calibre of Marcos Baghdatis.

Indian Wells is on at the moment, one of my favourite tournaments, it always seems to produce one of the year's best tennis IMO.

[HarpoJoyce]

But if Marcos Baghdatis plays two singles and shares a doubles game, Cyprus are 2 and a half games up before Ireland takes to the court?

Also its about experience and development obviously.

I'd like to think we have a chance against Cyprus, Monaco is a differnet prospect though.

[Real ale Madrid]

Just spent the afternoon watching Nadal v Djokovic in the semi finals of the Madrid Masters. Over 4 hours and I honestly don't know where the time went - an extra-ordinary game. Nadal won 11-9 in a 3rd set tie-breaker, but Nadal was roared on by his home crowd, yet Djokovic wasn't phased one bit - has a real chance of beating him if they meet in the French i think, but his fitness will somehow have to improve. Great game, some great tennis.

[Stevo Da Gull]

But if Marcos Baghdatis plays two singles and shares a doubles game, Cyprus are 2 and a half games up before Ireland takes to the court?

Also its about experience and development obviously.

I'd like to think we have a chance against Cyprus, Monaco is a differnet prospect though.

The start of the US Open reminded me of this thread. I know he's suffered with injuries, but my god Baghdatis' fall from grace has been incredible.. nothing like the player he was 3 years ago. Hopefully he'll get back up the rankings some day.

As a Hewitt fan, it looks like my interest will decrease after round 3 (Federer). Lleyton is playing with tendonitis in his knee, so I'd actually be happy with a 3rd round exit - as long as it's respectable. Seeing as this would move him up the rankings. It would be fantastic if he could get back inside the top 20 for the AO :)

Other than Hewitt, I'll be rooting for Murray,Nadal, Roddick and Luczak. Good luck lads!!

[Stevo Da Gull]

20 year old Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro claimed the US Open title, beating Roger Federer in the final. Great win for Juan, pretty much the only Argentine tennis player that I've ever liked as well!! :eek:

[hoops1]

20 year old Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro claimed the US Open title, beating Roger Federer in the final. Great win for Juan, pretty much the only Argentine tennis player that I've ever liked as well!! :eek:

Gabriela Sabatini:)

[HarpoJoyce]

In the Davis Cup semis Spain beat israel and Czech republic beat Croatia.

Latvia and Finland were promoted out of Group II and Rep. of Macedonia and Great Britain join Ireland in Group III for next year.
(oh please, oh please, oh please.)
Our Andy says he's available but........

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports-news/andy-murray-believes-davis-cup-relegation-will-give-gb-team-mates-chance-to-learn-how-to-win-1.921132
"ANDY MURRAY claimed last night that relegation to the third tier of the Davis Cup might be the best thing that could ever happen to British tennis and hinted that it might allow him to pick and choose his fixtures in future.


Defeat to Poland in Liverpool’s Echo Arena means that trips to such tennis backwaters as Bulgaria, Lithuania and Ireland all lie in wait when the draw for Group 2 of the Europe/Africa Zone in 2010 is made on Wednesday.


Ranking
http://www.daviscup.com/ranking/current.asp
How it works
http://www.daviscup.com/ranking/points.asp

[Stevo Da Gull]

Ireland have been drawn to face Turkey. The tie will take place in Dublin. The winners will face the winners of the Great Britain-Lithuania clash :cool:

Come on Ireland! Though it would be the same situation as the Cyrprus tie v Baghdatis, as you mentioned HarpoJ, with Britain being two-and-half rubbers up if Murray were to play against us.. it's still hard not to wish for a tie against GB.

Of course, it wouldn't be wise to look past Turkey at all. Hopefully the lads do themselves proud!

[Stevo Da Gull]

Louk Sorensen has qualified for the main draw in the Chennai ATP tour event, the first Irish player to do so this century (Possibly the first to do so since his father qualified for Wimbledon, but I think I'm wrong on that one).

[weecountyman]

Got a beating but he's one unlucky player. He's been plagued with injuries and could make the top-100. Conor Niland is still doing well, and I think it's interesting to follow our other players, they do well on the 10k circuit but like the UK, in Ireland only Wimbledon counts.

[Stevo Da Gull]

Yeah, I reckon the heavy loss in the first round had to do with how much effort was needed in his three qualifying matches. Being so injury prone, he probably hasn't built up the best stamina, and playing the day after a three set win might have effected him a bit. Then again, I didn't see the match, so I'm just guessing.

[swinfordfc]

Still fair play to him for getting that far - he moving on to Australia to try to qualified for the Open - that will be tough but good luck to him.....

[weecountyman]

Spot on Stevo, just making the main draw is a major achievement at his ranking, alot of players stay safe in lower grade events but he does have the ability to go further, at least top 100. The lad Morrissey looks like he could make something of a career of the game, he's only 17, ranked top-60 in the Juniors and with some financial support could be a top 100 pro in the next 3-4 years. I hope Tennis Ireland keep up their support for him.

[swinfordfc]

Both Sorsenan and Niland won they first qualifying match in the Aussie Open .... good start for both ... 2 matches to get through yet though ....

[HarpoJoyce]

Both Sorsenan and Niland won they first qualifying match in the Aussie Open .... good start for both ... 2 matches to get through yet though ....

(thanks for this)

It gets better. In the second qualifying round both Niland and Sorensen defeated USA opponents that were seeded in qualifying. Third round Conor Niland lost in three sets to Ricardo Hocevar (BRA) but Louk Sorensen beat a Kiwi in two sets, one tie-break.

He plays on Court 11 Monday mid-afternoon Melbourne time against Yen-Hsun Lu (Taiwan/Chinese Taipei).
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/players/overview/atpl575.html


Australia Day One schedule
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html

[swinfordfc]

(thanks for this)

It gets better. In the second qualifying round both Niland and Sorensen defeated USA opponents that were seeded in qualifying. Third round Conor Niland lost in three sets to Ricardo Hocevar (BRA) but Louk Sorensen beat a Kiwi in two sets, one tie-break.

He plays on Court 11 Monday mid-afternoon Melbourne time against Yen-Hsun Lu (Taiwan/Chinese Taipei).
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/players/overview/atpl575.html


Australia Day One schedule
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html


Fair play for him just to make the First Round ... really hope he put in a good display now .....

[weecountyman]

Because I have a day off I figured, I'll sit back, relax and watch some sports. Lo and behold, the Paris Open tennis is on and I figure, watch it. I log onto a certain Irish betting site and stick a tenner on one player to win. She starts like a train, wins the first, leads 4-2 in the second, now it's ad against, 5-5 second set. My certain win looks a lot less certain!

[sixesandsevens]

Ireland kick off their Davis Cup campaign at Fitzwilliam this afternoon. Up against Turkey, should be a tough tie, hopefully the carrot of getting Great Britain in the next round will be enough to see them through. Best of luck to Sorensen, Niland, and co. for the weekend!

[Grey Boy]

Is there anywhere to get game by game updates?

[sixesandsevens]

Your best bet is the tennisireland website www.tennisireland.ie they usually have the scores in at the end of every match. If your looking for game by game updates it can be quite tough to find, you could try the Davis Cup site but I think they would only do game by game updates for major ties.
Failing that its the standard news buletins from RTE and the likes to keep you informed. If I hear anymore I'll post up here!

[sixesandsevens]

Just found a twitter account as well which might be useful
http://twitter.com/Tennis_Ireland

[sixesandsevens]

Good news!! Ireland have won the first rubber 3 sets to love. James McGee winning 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. Seemed pretty comfortable.
The bad news is it looks like Sorensen has been injured again and won't be playing in this tie, which could be a major factor come Sunday. Hopefully Niland, King and McGee can keep the results coming.
Conor Niland is up next against a pretty useful Turk, hes 121 in the world. No easy task!

[Grey Boy]

I think the key will be the doubles as I reckon Niland and McGee will lose their singles against the Turk who's ranked 121.

[sixesandsevens]

yeah, it nearly always is the key when it comes to davis cup ties. Niland will have a chance against the Turk this evening and has the ability to surprise. He usually keeps his biggest performances for the DC. McGee is a good young player but needs more experience at this level, so I'd expect him to be turned over by the Turk on Sunday. King and McGee should work well together for the doubles but that same Turkish player is in the doubles as well.
There is a lot riding on Niland in the match running at the moment!

[Grey Boy]

Wow that was some result from Niland. Bring on team GB.

[sixesandsevens]

Told you he pulls out the big performances for the Davis cup. :D
it's one apiece between Lithuania and Britain at the moment...

[TheBoss]

Bring on team GB

Thats what we all want :)

[sixesandsevens]

Thats what we all want :)

Sure is, and the best thing is we would have a great chance of beating them, if they win against Lithuania chances are Murray won't play as they won't have the fear of delegation hanging over their heads. Without Murray Britain are a two bit team and home advantage Ireland couldeasy take them to the cleaners.
Just hope we can win one more rubber this weekend before any chickens get counted

[HarpoJoyce]

Sure is, and the best thing is we would have a great chance of beating them, if they win against Lithuania chances are Murray won't play as they won't have the fear of delegation hanging over their heads. Without Murray Britain are a two bit team and home advantage Ireland couldeasy take them to the cleaners.
Just hope we can win one more rubber this weekend before any chickens get counted

Is there an new scoring system introduced in Davis Cup Tennis?

Fitzwilliam is sold-out a few days before hand (which is always nice)
http://www.herald.ie/sport/other-sports/tickets-sell-out-after-louk-breakthrough-2088466.html

Today Barry King and James McGee versus Marsel Ilhan and Hayuk Akkoyun

Send a short message of support
http://www.tennisireland.ie/home/davis_cup_2010

[sixesandsevens]

No don't think the scoring system for DC has changed over the past few years. Simple first to three wins the tie, so we only need to win one more rubber to win the tie and niland should have no problem of beating the weaker Turk on Sunday. If King and Mcgee win this afternoon (hopefully they will) the last two ties become dead rubbers. The matches still get played but three sets are played instead of five

[Grey Boy]

Great stuff. The tie already won at 3-0 and not even a set dropped yet.

[HarpoJoyce]

fair play thanks for covering that.

Tennis Ireland send a goodwill message to the team.
http://www.tennisireland.ie/home/davis_cup_2010

It's brilliant.

Future opponents at the moment.
1-2 LTU - GBR
Great Britain won there doubles as expected.
http://www.daviscup.com/ties/tie.asp?tie=100014434

Berants (LTU) may win his singles so it is down to Laurynas Grigelis versus Daniel Evans.

GB win Ireland get home advantage.
LTU and it is a toss of a coin ( denomination nor currency are undetermined).