Sluiter and Van Gemerden defend Dutch hopes
Sluiter and Van Gemerden defend Dutch hopes
The draw has been made for the 2006 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group
First Round tie between Netherlands and Russia in Amsterdam:
Order of Play
Raemon Sluiter (NED) v Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)
Melle Van Gemerden (NED) v Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Raemon Sluiter/John Van Lottum (NED) v Igor Andreev/Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Raemon Sluiter (NED) v Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Melle Van Gemerden (NED) v Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)
Russians tentative despite upper hand
All four Russian players have higher rankings than their Dutch counterparts in
this weekend first round Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie.
But wait, said Russian Dmitry Tursunov, “That doesn’t mean we’ll trash them
just like that. Certainly not in a team competition like the Davis Cup. A
more solid team can outplay a more talented side”, said Tursunov. “Look at
Real Madrid, a team packed with superstars, but they never play to their
potential.”
So is he saying that Russia is to tennis what Real Madrid is to football?
“No”, said Tursunov deadpan, “not at all. We win far more often.”
On Friday, Tursunov, ranked 50 in the world, plays Dutch No.1 Raemon Sluiter
(83), after which world No.6 Nikolay Davydenko takes on Melle van Gemerden
(136).
Injury again for Wessels
Whatever the Russian players may courteously say, this is very much an uneven
tie, and self-depreciation and dark humour were rife in the Dutch camp.
Particularly since the Dutch team had to report the withdrawal of Peter Wessels,
the big-serving player who had been expected to carry the Dutch hopes.
With the best players, Martin Verkerk and Sjeng Schalken both out injured,
Wessels was the best bet for the Dutch on a fast playing surface such is played
on in Amsterdam.
But now he is out too, tearing a muscle in his chest on Wednesday. “So yes,
you can all write again that I’m injured”, said Wessels, who has been
struggling with his physical condition for most of his career. Last year he
had to retire from his singles match in the quarterfinal of the Davis Cup by
BNP Paribas against Slovakia. “Again, I’m injured. Sometimes I have trouble
even imagining an injury-free period.”
Dutch captain defiant
After Wednesday morning’s training session Wessels felt fine, but after the
press conference a muscle on his chest was aching when he mimed serving. A
scan revealed a small tear in the muscle and the team’s doctor and physiotherapist
advised against playing a possible five-set rubber. “If they hadn’t advised
me not to play, I would have”, said Wessels. “I don’t want to be in the
papers only because I’m injured.”
Meanwhile, Dutch captain Tjerk Bogtstra decided to stay optimistic despite the
absence of his best players. “Or do you want me to trash my hotel room and
throw the television out of the window?’” The Dutch had to stick to what they
had, said Bogtstra. He voiced his surprise at the nomination of Dmitry
Tursunov, who at 50 is the lowest ranked Russian player. “But hey, nor did
the Russians expect to play against Jesse Huta-Galung.”
Bogtstra meant no disrespect to the promising yet anonymous Dutch player, who
was called as a replacement for Wessels. But it was just for the best to joke
about it, argued Bogstra. “And who knows”, said Bogtstra, pausing for a
while, “maybe Jesse will get a game this weekend.” The captain’s hint at a
possible appearance in a dead rubber for the 20-year-old, ranked 381 in the
world, was an indication of the low hopes Bogtstra will privately have about
the tie.
Dutch courage
With all four Russians having a higher ranking than the Dutch, what can the
Dutch take courage from?
“Well”, said Nikolay Davydenko, “I never beat Sluiter or Van Gemerden.”
Curiously, Davydenko has a 0-2 record against both Raemon Sluiter and
Melle van Gemerden. “The last time I played Melle was in 2000. But after that,
I never saw Melle play again”, said Davydenko. “I have no idea how he plays
now.”
Van Gemerden agreed. “I haven’t seen Davydenko play either.” But that was
because Van Gemerden hardly ever watches tennis on television. He could have
seen Davydenko almost beating Roger Federer at the Australian Open, but didn’t.
“Well, I hear he’s become pretty good”, Van Gemerden said with a
self-mocking smile, which wasn’t his or anyone else on the Dutch team’s
first of the day.
※ 編輯: okk 來自: 218.167.46.115 (02/10 22:38)
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