The USA came in as huge favorites vs. Romania for the opening round of the Davis Cup at the Beautiful La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club on February 10-12, 06. The USA came in 5-0 lifetime vs. the Romanians.
However, after last years opening round loss to eventual champion Croatia at the Home Depot Center, the Americans were focused on getting off to a great start. Think again as Andy Roddick was upset by Andrei Pavel in the opening match. Roddick started off great taking a 2 set to 0 lead and had a match point to end it in straight sets. Pavel made an incredible top spin lob winner to extend the 3rd set tiebreaker and pulled it out to keep the first match going. With the home crowd on his side, things still looked good. Roddick them seemed to start having injury problems and could hardly move in the 4th set losing 6-2. It ended up being stomach illness and cramps. He fell behind 5 games to 1 in the 5th set before holding serve, breaking Pavel and holding once again to make it 5-4. But Pavel served and held for the match as he did make some fantastic shots along the way coupled with Roddick’s inconsistency and illness. Pavel kept picking on Roddicks weaker backhand and forced many errors. Roddick is known for his serve but he couldn’t even get that going. So after one match, the Americans put their hopes on James Blake vs. Romania’s #1 current player (Victor Hanescu). Andre Agassi is still injured so captain Patrick McEnroe had to choose between Blake and improving Robby Ginepri. Blake has won a few tournaments from late last year and the start of this year plus his game has been better of late. He showed McEnroe and the crowd that he deserved to be there by crushing Hanescu in 3 sets (6-4, 7-6, 6-2). The Americans were back and looking strong going into the doubles.
On Saturday, February 11, The Bryan Brothers took care of business showing why they are the #1 team in the world. They started with an early break and Horia Tecau and Hanescu were in trouble from the get go. Then late in the set, Romania’s chances in this match and the tie took a big blow when Hanescu strained his back. He tried to compete and actually finished out the first set even though he could barely move. He got treatment but still couldn’t continue so they had to default. That left the crowd in a funk as they wanted to see more tennis. So out of the press box came the legendary John McEnroe to team up with his brother (Captain Patrick), to play an exhibition vs. the Bryan Brothers. John still has game and the Mac’s took a 2-0 lead on the 8 game pro set. But the Bryans said enough is enough and even though John played very well and incorporated some of his famous arguing of calls, they fell to the Bryans in the entertaining match.
The rubber match on Sunday pitted Roddick vs. Razvan Sabau (#112 approx. in the world). Roddick didn’t have his best stuff and with Hanescu still sidelined, Roddick breezed to a straight set win to advance the USA to the next round vs. Chile. That match will be played in the USA from April 7-9th at a location to be determined (most likely on grass where the Chileans are not too comfortable with). The last match had Mr. Blake back for a nice victory over the tough and up and coming 21 yr. old Tecau. He has the potential to be very good in my opinion and played a tough second set despite losing.
I talked to Roddick after the match during the interview and asked him if he ever thought he loses focus during matches. He acknowledged it and mentioned that was something he needed to work on. I also asked him where he preferred to play the next tie and on what surface. He was high on grass because of his serve as well and the advantage it would give the USA team. Speculation is either Mission Hills or Sherwood in Thousand Oaks but a grass court needs to be basically built.
It looks as if the same USA team will play vs. Chile and most likely Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu in the next round. Many countries better players are sitting out Davis Cup so the Americans have as good of chance as any especially with the Bryans playing doubles and if Roddick can stay healthy. Luck and
Other winners included Croatia over Austria 3-2 to advance to play Argentina, a 5-0 winner over Sweden. Belarus upset Spain 4-1 to get Australia next, who beat Federerless Switzerland. France took Germany 3-2 and will face Russia in the quarterfinals after they beat the Netherlands. For more info on upcoming Davis Cup matches, schedules, players, draws and scores, visit www.daviscup.com
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