After about 16 months, David finally returns to the Davis Cup stage today.
Merely a week ago, this would've seemed completely impossible. But nothing is impossible when it comes to David and his beloved Copa Davis...
It will be David's first Davis Cup match after the disastrous 2008 final against Spain and the lost doubles (with Calleri) there. Now, David's Davis Cup comeback will again be playing the doubles, Argentina's "problem rubber".
And David will play it with someone he has never played with before, nor had enough time to train with... 24-year-old, left-handed Horacio Zeballos is, as the stats reveal, more successful at playing doubles than singles on the Tour and has a current doubles ranking of #42. He plays with different partners, so he's used to adapting to a new partner quickly. But what's probably more important for today - he has never played a Davis Cup match before. While for David, it will be his 37th match (and the 16th doubles).
I never really know what to expect when it comes to the doubles rubber. And even less so in this special case...
I guess I just hope that David won't find a way of injuring himself again.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
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I'm soooo nervious!
For David and Argentina. I don't want him to lose. He went there not completely recuperated to help the team. And of course I want Argentina to win.
Now, I hope he wins and not get injured again. I don't think the doubles could cause him injuries, even with the lack of competition.
I'm concerned about tomorrow: whatever happens this resolves on Sunday. Meaning we have to define in the 5 point (if we win today, wich is hard, because their doubles is strong) or, the worst escenario, we must tie against Soderling, and yesterday with Mayer playing " serve only" (because his strategy was playing to one ball no more)he had luck that Johansson served that badly and most of his shots were out. with that? at the second return that Soderling puts on court? Mayer is out. He can't defeat Soderling, nor Schwank or Zeballos... that left David.
Well, let's worry about today.
Vamos David!!!
I share ur concerns Anna, and me 2 wants Argentina to win, but more than that i want david to get back healthy to California, I just heard Miami also gave him a wildcard, which is perfect, its nice that the organisers in America know how good and important is David, he is saving his PR uses, couldn't be better, now gd luck nalby Zeballos, there is something hard but nothing impossible, Vamos
Okay, this is not the start I was expecting...
The match has just started but I'm impressed with Zeballos so far. Potent groundstrokes and I like his lefty serve. David has hit a couple of key good shots so far too, let's see how he does in his first service game.
Guys, I'm so happy. This is the first time I see David play for months :)
David's first serve looks like a second serve... not good signs (for later that is), but at least Lindstedt's serve also looks weak.
The end of this first set has been less one-sided. I think I might have overrated Zeballos' serve (in the first game) just because it's left-handed. David's returns have been getting better, but I've never seen him keep it up before in a doubles match so we'll see how that goes.
Can't believe the Bet365 commentator complimented Lindstedt's fluke return winner so much... Anyway, it was a very strong recovery from break point to serve out the set.
I find his various versions of pronouncing "Horacio Zeballos" quite entertaining...
And David actually served out the set. :)
It's on Bet365? I couldn't find it when I looked before. I'll try again. I'm using your first link, but no commentary.
Maybe it's not available in your country, I think Bet365 only show DC in certain countries.
I think the way he says Zeballos is very cool, not exactly how I imagined it to be pronounced. But I don't know if it's correct or not. Or which one is correct.
Looks like Soderling/Lindstedt have taken their intensity up a notch this second set. Just a bit more pumped up, with good reason I guess not going down so early on in the set.
Yes, must be that, Julia. It's only offering WTA stuff. Bet365 is usually the best stream for me. I just missed two games trying to get it.
Never mind, at least I can see it. I'll just have to make up my own pronunciation of Zeballos. ;-)
I'm basically watching it on a JustinTV stream that is a copy of the Bet365 stream:
http://www.justin.tv/apokalipsalsh2/popout/
Krystle! :-)
That is much better - and sound too.
Thanks!
And just like that, Argentina breaks back when Sweden seemed firmly in control. So far David's been playing the big points pretty well this match.
What a service game from David... I really liked that one.
Ooh, lovely volley for 4 all.
It's because I'm watching again. They couldn't handle it when I left to go stream-searching. ;-)
Well, you could've found that one on the stream list in the sidebar. ;)
Okay, now Mr. Sebayus (according to the Bet365 commentator) has to hold serve...
I don't think the sidebar likes me today, Julia. :-(
But the LiveScoreHunter link works?
Two sets to love lead!! Great serving from Zeballos in that TB, four free points off all his serves. And David has been playing well ever since they broke back in the second set.
One more set. WOW. atdhe.net has a great picture but the commentary is in Swedish.
Yes, it does now Julia, thanks. This picture is much better.
Didn't they do well there!
Yeah, they did great to come back from down a break. I though there would be much more chaos but they're playing really well together.
John, just out of curiosity - how does the Swedish commentator(s) pronounce "Zeballos"? And did they shout "Vinkel!" again at David's angled shots? Always cracks me up because it's the same word in German. :)
Julia, they are pronouncing it correctly - Ze bye ose. Didn't hear the word vinkel. They probably said it, but I don't understand a word of Swedish.
David,there are no words for how much I admire you.
I want to take this performance and rub it Peter Bodo's face.
Benji, yeah, Bodo should be made to watch this match...
I still can't quite believe how well they played. Especially in the important moments. And in the tiebreaks. Just - wow.
David was really happy and impressed with their performance as well, calling it a "spectacular match" that they played. And he also said that he's feeling good. No pain or anything. He didn't want to make a definitive statement about tomorrow. But now that they've won the doubles in straights (and he's feeling good) I guess he'll want to play.
Benji LOL love dat.
Guyz am speechless again, wut can i say about today, Naballos won the doubles rubber 3 sets to love, and against a double specialist and one of the biggest serves of the ATP, and on their own backyard, just impressive, he didn't come to Stockholm for nothing, he came to win, but with an inexperienced Zeballos which impressed me with his fire serve, congrats everyone, 2-1 for Argentina.
i think tomorrow Soderling will play Mayer, and Nalbandian will play Pim Pim, actually i don't think so, i know so.
OMG!!! That was just an amazing performance by David! It looks like he has already proven that his last minute trip to Stockholm was not in vain and was not "insane" at all. The Legend grows. lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN9DK7bCduw
Sorry, I had to watch that match in private.
Vamos David!!! Unreal! :)
Absolutely amazing. David provides so much more than just his play on the court. It's the inspiration and leadership. Mayer, Schwank and Zeballos have all played like experienced Davis Cup player so far. Who knows, Mayer might even surprise Soderling tomorrow and let David be a spectator.
Very true. After the match, Zeballos said he felt "secure" on court - because of David. I think he made the others believe that they can win this. And that feeling, this kind of confidence is so important...
Well, I guess Thomas Enqvist underestimated David's importance for the Argentine team. And the consequences for Sweden.
@John and Julia
Truly speechless, so happy for David right now. Feel awful for Soda though... but overall David needed this confidence boost more than Robin, so I am happy.
On tomorrow's match, if Soda wins the first match against Mayer, David will be in hero mode again. I wonder if Enqvist throws out Pim Pim or Vinciguerra? Yes, Mayer could upset Soda. He played great on Friday and Soda did not. No comment otherwise. ;-)
Again, a joy to see the Master at work on so many different levels, including raising the confidence and level of play of those around him. Great, great guy, this Nalby!!
That was a surprisingly consistent performance from the Argentine team, not something we're particularly used to seeing.
Zeballos has really nice reflexes around the net. His flexibility was very good so he was often able to dig out volleys while stretched out wide, and get into these lightning exchanges.
I think David will probably want to wait and see how he feels tomorrow morning before saying whether he will play or not.
David, the great fighter!
@Benji, Bodo has never liked any player who is not Federer or American, who whatever for him.
@Noubar, loved the "Naballos" reference. Match made in heaven? Probably so.
Anyhow, the doubles team came through today. Congrats, ARG.
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