Davis Cup Wrap 2011

Almost all of the 2011 Davis Cup is complete, save the final and the relegation tie in Americas Zonal Group I.

2011 Davis Cup Final:  Argentina at Spain

This is a rematch of the 2008 final, played in Argentina but won by Spain.  Argentina will be the underdogs again, but could be fresher as both Nadal and Ferrer will have played in the World Tour Finals.  Also Lopez/Verdasco have not been looking great in doubles.  But as of now, you'd expect another vintage Nadal performance and yet another Spanish victory.

ESP 3 FRA 1 - Even after all his whining, Nadal came out ready to play and a grand total of 12 games over 2 rubbers in easy victories over Gasquet and Tsonga.  Lopez/Verdasco were taught a lesson in doubles by Llodra/Tsonga but that was the only bright spot in a relatively routine victory for Spain at home on clay.

ARG 3 SRB 1 - Obviously the injury to Djokovic ruined this tie, but that shouldn't take from what Del Potro and Nalbandian did to Troicki and Tipsarevic on day one.  Both Argentines were ranked lower than the Serbian counterparts, but won each in four sets.  The doubles turned out to be the only bright spot.

2012 World Group:  Argentina, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States.  The draw takes place tomorrow.

New countries (year of last World Group appearance):  CAN (2004), ITA (2000), JPN (1985), SUI (2010)

Relegated countries (last year not in World Group):  BEL (2009), CHI (2008), IND (2008), ROU (2010)

CZE 3 ROU 0 - No surprise there.
RUS 3 BRA 2 - Tight tie.  Youzhny survived Bellucci 14-12 in the 5th set in the 4th rubber to keep the tie live after Melo/Soares won the doubles for Brazil.  Tursunov then came off the bench to beat Mello and keep Russia in the World Group.  One of these years, Brazil is going to make the World Group.
CAN 3 ISR 2 - Vasek Pospisil is perhaps the hero of the weekend for all ties.  He upset Sela on day 1, teamed with Nestor to win, then won the live 5th rubber over Weintraub (who had beaten Raonic on day 1) after Raonic was injured and couldn't play Sela.
CRO 3 RSA 1 - An anticlimax after Anderson was injured and couldn't play Cilic in a critical 4th rubber.  The Croat #1 won 3 rubbers.
ITA 3 CHI 0 - Gonzalez had to retire, and with him went Chile's hopes
JPN 3 IND 1 - Yet another injury as Devvarman couldn't go on day 3, leaving Nishikori to be home hero and get Japan to the World Group for the first time in over 25 years.
AUT 3 BEL 1 - Melzer lost on day 1 to keep it interesting, but then closed out Malisse in the 4th rubber.
SUI 3 AUS 2 - Tomic upset Wawrinka, then the Aussies stunned the reigning doubles gold medalists, but Fed and Stan took care of business on day 3/4 to return the Swiss from the brink.  Hewitt did take Wawrinka to 6-3 in the 5th in the 5th rubber.

Lower Groups:  The zonal groups I and II were all set over the weekend as well except for the relegation final between Colombia and Mexico in Americas ZG I which will be contested in October.  Here are lists of the 2012 groups, with * for teams promoted this year and ^ for teams relegated this year.

Europe/Africa Zonal Group I:  Belgium^, Denmark*, Finland, Great Britain*, Israel, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania^, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa
Europe/Africa Zonal Group II:  Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Egypt*, Estonia, Ireland, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, Madagascar*, Moldova*, Monaco, Morocco, Poland^, Turkey*, Ukraine^

-Of note this weekend, Finland easily beat Poland and Slovakia beat Ukraine, which is a country certainly better than ZG II after having been in the World Group Playoffs last year.  Great Britain got Murray's help to return to ZG I while Pedersen from Denmark won a live 5th rubber over Bosnia's Dzumhur.

Americas Zonal Group I:  Brazil, Chile^, COL/MEX winner, Ecuador, Peru*, Uruguay
Americas Zonal Group II:  Barbados*, Bolivia*, COL/MEX loser^, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Venezuela

-Ecuador stayed in ZG I with a win over Mexico, and Peru beat Paraguay to get promoted

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group I:  Australia, China, India^, New Zealand, South Korea*, Taiwan, Uzbekistan
Asia/Pacific Zonal Group II:  Hong Kong, Indonesia, Lebanon*, Pacific Oceania, Pakistan, Philippines^, Sri Lanka*, Thailand

-Taiwan sent the Philippines down to ZG II while South Korea beat Philippines to advance to ZG I.

WTA Champions

Finally, the WTA did have two International tournaments last week, both of which yielded first time titlists, young Russian Ksenia Pervak in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (def. Eva Birnerova), and Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (def. Marina Erakovic) in Quebec City, Canada.