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From: pss@nvuxb.UUCP (P.Schroeder)
Newsgroups: net.sport
Subject: Davis Cup
Message-ID: <214@nvuxb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Nov-85 12:49:14 EST
Article-I.D.: nvuxb.214
Posted: Fri Nov 22 12:49:14 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 24-Nov-85 05:19:35 EST
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Red Bank, NJ
Lines: 88

>Mike Cherepov
 
>Well, it looks like this time the Germans' luck will run out.
>Despite of playing the Davis Cup final at home on a very fast
>surface, they appear to be outclassed by the Swedes.
>The second man on the German team would be either Westphal or
>Schwaier or Maurer. Hardly an opponent for Edberg or Jarryd.
>Wilander's mastery of artificial surfaces and indoor courts
>might be questionable, but he's not a poor performer on a 
>fast court, and , besides is having a pretty good year.
 
>I would also pick the Swedes in doubles, whether Jarryd plays
>with Edberg or Wilander. They play and practice together often
>and have had huge success. The friendly crowd is not enough
>for Becker-Maurer.
 
>Then, of course, there is the miracle man Boris, who can always
>threaten to win both of his matches. But it looks much harder
>then whipping Mecir, Smid, Krickstein and Teltscher. Some top
>talent is coming.
 
I am pulling for Sweden to win as I like all their players, especially
Wilander.  However, despite Sweden's depth, the German's have
a great chance to win because of the fast surface.  Becker has to be
heavily favoured to win both of his singles matches with his big serve
and overall power.  Sweden will be heavily favoured to win the other
singles, regardless of who plays for either side.  In essence, it could
all come down to the doubles.  Right now, there is considerable speculation
as to the make-up of Sweden's team; the likely possibilities include:

     (1) Wilander and Nystrom in singles, and Jarryd/Edberg in doubles,

     (2) Jarryd and Edberg in singles, and Wilander/Nystrom in doubles.

I don't think the probability of using either Wilander, Jarryd, or Edberg
in both singles and doubles is very high.  Jarryd and Edberg have had
more recent success on fast indoor surfaces in both singles and doubles than
Wilander and Nystrom.  For that reason, I lean towards the idea that
option (1) above will be chosen since it would give Sweden the best
chance of winning the doubles;  Wilander and Nystrom would both be favoured
to win their singles against Germany's 2nd singles player, most likely
either Westphal or Maurer (Schwaier is mainly a clay court player).
The Australian Open results will no doubt weigh heavily in Sweden's
final decision for their line-up.

>Not having cable tv is really breaking my heart: I miss Aus. Open and
>Cup. Davis Cup should be pretty interesting no matter who wins,
>Australian should be very good because several players, men and
>women have a shot at the top ranking for the year.
 
While ESPN will carry the semi-finals and finals of the Australian Open,
I don't think they will televise the Davis Cup final.  Their position
in the past has been that unless the U.S. is playing, they won't cover
Davis Cup competition.

>Martina should win this time.
 
I agree.

>I pick McEnroe who got re-dedicated(at least verbally):

McEnroe's not 100% right now, and I don't think he has changed his training
practices (or lack thereof).

>Lendl is not a grass man,

Not his best surface to be sure, but his net game has improved.  He's got
everything else to win.

>Becker has had his share of good grass fortune,

No reason why he shouldn't do well again.  His game is well suited to grass.

>Wilander is not the best grass-court player in the world,

True, but he's won the tournament the past two years while beating
Lendl, McEnroe, and Curren among other good grass court players.

>Curren hasn't been too steady lately......

Curren has been in the finals of both the last Australian Open and Wimbledon
on grass;  however, I agree that he hasn't done much otherwise.

>Connors..., you know... (is he playing there anyway?)

Connors will not be there.

Per a previous posting, I pick Lendl to win.