Davis Cup

[Annie]

off topic: I am still waiting on that PM with details of your bday party LOL

[marats]

Can't wait until i see Marat supporting pics !!!

[Annie]

R1 - R.SLUITER (NED) v D.TURSUNOV (RUS)
R2 - M.VAN GEMERDEN (NED) v N.DAVYDENKO (RUS)

R3 - R.SLUITER / J.VAN LOTTUM (NED) v I.ANDREEV / N.DAVYDENKO (RUS)

R4 - R.SLUITER (NED) v N.DAVYDENKO (RUS)
R5 - M.VAN GEMERDEN (NED) v D.TURSUNOV (RUS)

I must say I am very surprised Mitya is number 2 and not Igor Something must be wrong there

UDACHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lena]

Udachi for the russian guy, wish them all the best. they seems to be in a good shap
let's have a look at this really nice video from practise session
cgi.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams?/nos/nieuws/2006/februari/video/070206/daviscup.wmv

have fun ;D

[Annie]

you're my hero

[marats]

Congrats Argentina !

[SAFINNO1]

Thanks for the vid Lena

I think mitya being ahead of Igor is problably just an experiment becuase no offence but i would be dissapointed if we did not wrap up the tie on Staurday and this could give Mitya some valuble experience for the future if Marat is not around and i am sure that Misha will play doubles instead of Koyla
cant wait

DAVAI RUSSIA

[SAFINNO1]

Russians tentative despite upper hand

All four Russian players have higher rankings than their Dutch counterparts in this weekend first round Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie.

But wait, said Russian Dmitry Tursunov, “That doesn’t mean we’ll trash them just like that. Certainly not in a team competition like the Davis Cup. A more solid team can outplay a more talented side”, said Tursunov. “Look at Real Madrid, a team packed with superstars, but they never play to their potential.”

So is he saying that Russia is to tennis what Real Madrid is to football?
“No”, said Tursunov deadpan, “not at all. We win far more often.”

On Friday, Tursunov, ranked 50 in the world, plays Dutch No.1 Raemon Sluiter (83), after which world No.6 Nikolay Davydenko takes on Melle van Gemerden (136).


Injury again for Wessels

Whatever the Russian players may courteously say, this is very much an uneven tie, and self-depreciation and dark humour were rife in the Dutch camp. Particularly since the Dutch team had to report the withdrawal of Peter Wessels, the big-serving player who had been expected to carry the Dutch hopes. With the best players, Martin Verkerk and Sjeng Schalken both out injured, Wessels was the best bet for the Dutch on a fast playing surface such is played on in Amsterdam.

But now he is out too, tearing a muscle in his chest on Wednesday. “So yes, you can all write again that I’m injured”, said Wessels, who has been struggling with his physical condition for most of his career. Last year he had to retire from his singles match in the quarterfinal of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas against Slovakia. “Again, I’m injured. Sometimes I have trouble even imagining an injury-free period.”


Dutch captain defiant

After Wednesday morning’s training session Wessels felt fine, but after the press conference a muscle on his chest was aching when he mimed serving. A scan revealed a small tear in the muscle and the team’s doctor and physiotherapist advised against playing a possible five-set rubber. “If they hadn’t advised me not to play, I would have”, said Wessels. “I don’t want to be in the papers only because I’m injured.”

Meanwhile, Dutch captain Tjerk Bogtstra decided to stay optimistic despite the absence of his best players. “Or do you want me to trash my hotel room and throw the television out of the window?’” The Dutch had to stick to what they had, said Bogtstra. He voiced his surprise at the nomination of Dmitry Tursunov, who at 50 is the lowest ranked Russian player. “But hey, nor did the Russians expect to play against Jesse Huta-Galung.”

Bogtstra meant no disrespect to the promising yet anonymous Dutch player, who was called as a replacement for Wessels. But it was just for the best to joke about it, argued Bogstra. “And who knows”, said Bogtstra, pausing for a while, “maybe Jesse will get a game this weekend.” The captain’s hint at a possible appearance in a dead rubber for the 20-year-old, ranked 381 in the world, was an indication of the low hopes Bogtstra will privately have about the tie.


Dutch courage

With all four Russians having a higher ranking than the Dutch, what can the Dutch take courage from?

“Well”, said Nikolay Davydenko, “I never beat Sluiter or Van Gemerden.” Curiously, Davydenko has a 0-2 record against both Raemon Sluiter and Melle van Gemerden. “The last time I played Melle was in 2000. But after that, I never saw Melle play again”, said Davydenko. “I have no idea how he plays now.”

Van Gemerden agreed. “I haven’t seen Davydenko play either.” But that was because Van Gemerden hardly ever watches tennis on television. He could have seen Davydenko almost beating Roger Federer at the Australian Open, but didn’t. “Well, I hear he’s become pretty good”, Van Gemerden said with a self-mocking smile, which wasn’t his or anyone else on the Dutch team’s first of the day.

[marats]

Thanks !

[zaramelle]

Haha, how funny, we share the same name! Only he's a guy...

[Annie]

zaramelle said:

Haha, how funny, we share the same name! Only he's a guy...

which of the names is that?

[Annie]

My boys ;D

[myrella]

I saw that game of soccer on the tv..they also interviewed Shamil Tarpischev on his thoughts on playing the dutch team.

All though i'm dutch...and ofcourse would love it to see my country win, I've got a feeling that the russians will just blow us away LOL

[Annie]

I hope so LOL

I am so jealous you're gonna watch!!! I am stuck at the office with no TV today

[myrella]

I will tell you if something interesting happened

Are you gonna watch live score's then?