Davis Cup Qualifying Previews: Germany at Slovak Republic, Great Britain at Austria
Posted on September 23, 2004
Tennis-X will take a look at two Davis Cup qualifying matches per day leading to the beginning of play on Friday, Sept. 24. Four countries will advance to the World Group, while the four losers will wallow for at least another year in the minor leagues of Davis Cup zonal play.
The eight qualifying matches this weekend are Morocco at Australia, Japan at Chile, Belgium at Croatia, Czech Republic at Paraguay, Germany at Slovak Republic, Great Britain at Austria, Canada at Romania, and Thailand at Russia.
Today's previews: Germany at Slovak Republic, Great Britain at Austria
Germany at Slovak Republic
Site: National Tennis Centre, Bratislava, SVK
Surface: Hardcourt (indoors)
Ball: Dunlop Fort Duck
With Rainer Schuettler and the hot-handed Nicolas Kiefer pulling up lame, Tommy Haas and neophyte Florian "Oscar" Mayer have the daunting task of facing the solid Slovaks on their home courts.
"I am really disappointed that I cannot be there at Brataslava because I love playing for Germany," Schuettler said. "I will cross my finger for the team."
On the Slovak side, veteran Karol Kucera could get the call at No. 2 singles behind Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty since he has beaten Haas in two of the their three encounters, while The Dominator has been dominated by Haas, losing six of seven meetings.
Karol Beck, also a consideration for the No. 2 Slovak spot, has never faced Haas. The young Mayer is also a bit of a wildcard, having faced no one on the Slovak team.
The edge in firepower goes to the Germans, which makes you wonder if the Slovaks have made a major blunder not putting this match-up on clay. Hrbaty's lone win over Haas came on clay, and the red dirt has been the du jour pick for the Slovaks in the past.
Great Britain at Austria
Site: Werzer Arena Portschach, Portschach, AUT Stadium Capacity: 3500
Surface: Red Clay (outdoors)
Ball: Wilson Double Core
The tie everyone is talking about features first-time captain Thomas Muster hosting the Brits on the red clay, trying to turn back a hot-handed Tim Henman, a slumping and always clay-addled "Grinning" Greg Rusedski, and possibly thrown into the mix, US Open junior winner Andy Murray.
The Austrians will front Jurgen "Tuna" Melzer and Stefan Koubek in singles, with Julian Knowle and Alexander Peya likely in doubles. The Austrians made a splash just weeks ago when Tuna Melt, Koubek and Peya all reached the fourth round at the US Open.
"We are definitely not afraid," said Muster who will debut as captain. "We know we have a good team and I think it's going to be a very interesting tie."
Austria is forced to compete in the World Group qualifying round after losing in the first round of the World Group in 2004 to the U.S.
Henman says he recognizes the challenge of coming into the Slovak Republic and walking out with a "W" after four singles and one doubles best-of-five-set matches.
"None of us are claycourt specialist by any stretch of the imagination, and it's definitely my least favorite surface," Henman said. "I'm sure they're going to try and make it as slow and as heavy as possible."
Spot-on, as the Brits say, echoes Koubek of the Austrian squad. Expect a mud bog.
"Tim Henman may have reached the semifinals at Roland Garros but we are not going to put that kind of clay on the court," Koubek said. "It's going to be a little slower, a little deeper and a lot tougher to play on for British players."
Henman is 0-1 career versus Tuna Melt, but 3-1 versus Koubek.
Key for the Brits will be captain Jeremy "Master" Bates' decision to either debut Murray and save Grinning Greg for the doubles, or go with Rusedski in singles.
Rusedski is 0-1 versus Tuna Melt on clay, and 2-0 versus Koubek, both wins coming on hardcourt. Between the boggy red claycourt and home advantage, give the nod to an emotional four or five-match long win for the Austrians.
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