At Stake and My Take

The unexpected buzz about theInternational Tennis Hall of Fameand what does - or doesn't - constitute legitimate candidacy makes me think we should devote an entire post to a closer, more comprehensive look at the subject. I may even go to the Sampras/Sanchez-Vicario induction this summer and blog it. Would that be of interest to y'all?

Davis Cup is pressing down on us, and it will take up most of my attention over the next few days. Tomorrow I'll have some thoughts on some interesting elements in Roger Federer's decision to skip the event this year. You know, people complain about the timing of Davis Cup, but this week seems like a pretty danged reasonable date. It's early in the year, and not too many of the player have fatigue or injury issues. The event is played, for all practical purposes, two weeks after the end of the Australian Open - and that means that all but the quarterfinalists (or better) in Melbourne have had, or could have had, a solid three-week break from competitive play.

Granted, DC is best-of-five, no tiebreaker in the fifth set, over three potentially debilitating days. Still, while dual-purpose (singles and doubles) players have a pretty daunting assignment, effort-wise, I'm not sure it's too big an ask. But that's easy to say from where I sit. So let's do something a little different, and look at what is really at stake for the teams in the first round. I'm hoping you all come up with additional or alternative opinions on this one. You can get the full draw and links to preview information here.

Russia at Chile (Russia leads,3-0) - At stake for top-seeded Russia: the right to start bandying around the word "dynasty" with a successful defense of the Cup. At stake for Chile: potentially, the bragging rights to South America, because Russia's last DC win was over Chile's continental rival, Argentina.

My take:  Mark this one Upset Special, for a variety of reasons, starting with the fact that little tough guy Nikolay Davydenko isn't playing (there is no truth to the rumor that he passed on it because he's accepted an offer to replace Leo DiCaprio in the role of Jack in Titanic II).

Chile is riding a 10-0 home winning streak, Fernando Gonzalez is coming off a great run (he was runner-up at the Australian Open), Gonzalez's stablemate Nicolas Massu is an Olympic Games/Davis Cup warrior (he's 8-0 in singles on clay in DC alone), and Russia is counting heavily on Marat Safin, which is like counting heavily on winning the Powerball lottery as a means of financing that McMansion you want to buy.

The South American nations have a healthy rivalry in all sports.

Wouldn't it be great to see Chile accomplish what Argentina could not in last year's final, and then go on to become South America's first winner of the DC? C'mon, 'Nando and Nick, Gaucho up!

Romania at France(France leads, 6-1) - At stake for France: continuing status as a DC heavy. At stake for Romania: Relegation from the World Group, which in this case could prove to be a slippery slope.

My take: France is a team in need of a Napoleon as it marches toward the Grand Halle d’Auvergne, in Clermont-Ferrand (sounds more like they're going to sign a peace treaty than play tennis matches, but . . . whatever). We've had enough Vladimir and Estragon impersonations form Sebastian Grosjean and Arnaud Clement. This is a great opportunity for Richard Gasquet to start wearing big boy pants. Step up and make it your team, Ree-shard, with this supporting cast you could do some damage.

Croatia at Germany (teams even, 1-1) -  At stake for Croatia: Fountains of glory. The entire country hangs on the DC team's every move. Croatia is the Little DC Nation That Could; staying alive in the competition will ensure that the frenzy continues. At stake for Germany: The opportunity to stay alive for another round before being roundly trashed as a pathetic group of bitchy little divas.

My take: Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic have been to Croatia what Tommy Haas and Nicolas Kiefer were once supposed to be for Germany: a one-two punch of very good if not great players who, inspired by pride and home support, take advantage of the level playing field provided by the DC format to earn glory for themselves and their nation. Morale-wise, it may work in Germany's favor that the malcontent Kiefer isn't playing; but that advantage ends the moment the Benjamin Becker (Kiefer's replacement) steps on the court. He is, after all, a journeyman.

Australia at Belgium(Australia leads, 2-0) - At stake for Australia: Oh, three-quarters of a century - give or take a few decades  - worth of reputation as a Davis Cup nation capable of challenging any favorite, on any surface, at any time. At stake for Belgium: A chance to cling to World Group status, now that the little nation with the little star (Olivier Rochus) has clawed its way up into the big leagues.

My take: Diminutive Olivier Rochus is the parallel gender universe answer to Justine Henin-Har (whoops!). He's a warrior, with 10-9 (singles) and 4-2 (doubles) record. But another little guy, Lleyton Hewitt, will be in the house, and he's 28-7 in DC singles.

USA at Czech Republic (USA leads, 4-1) - At stake for the U.S.: Reversing the nation's growing reputation as a traditional tennis powerhouse with quality players who are incapable of winning unless they're at home, on a fast surface most suited to their stars. At stake for the Czech Republic: the chance to play next in either Spain or Switzerland, where they say the food is pretty good.

My take: Pat McEnroe has worked long and hard to build a team with great camaraderie and ample talent to win the Cup. The draw hasn't exactly been kind on some key recent occasions, but this team needs to win this one. I don't care if they play it on pressed dumpling.

Spain at Switzerland(Spain leads, 3-1) - At stake for Spain: Rafael Nadal's claim to be "the guy who owns Switzerland."

At stake for the Swiss: Nothing. They were written off the moment Roger Federer decided not to play.

My take: I'll save most of it for tomorrow, but Swiss No. 1 Stan Wawrinka's loss to Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open set a new high-water mark for boring, dumb tennis. This is a great opportunity for David Ferrer to fatten up his DC resume and for Jet Boy to buy himself a really cool watch.

Sweden at Belarus (first meeting) - At stake for Sweden: Another chance to stay in the hunt thanks to the great team spirit that has always characterized the squad. At stake for Belarus: Survival, which is tough enough a job for a nation with a one man squad in Max Mirnyi.

My take: TW's friend Mats Wilander is captain of the Swedish team, and all-around good guy Jonas Bjorkman is the star. Given his skills as a doubles player, I wouldn't be surprised if Bjorkman carries this team further than it has any obvious right to go.

Argentina at Austria (first meeting) - At stake for Argentina: Burying a reputation as a DC also-ran and chronic under-performer in what looks to be a gimme. At stake for Austria: A chance to fire a shot heard round the tennis world while Argentina's top player, David Nalbandian, is off working on his tan.

My take: The addition of promising youngster Juan Martin del Potro as an Argentina singles player is a good move; he gets critical DC experience, on a relatively fast surface. File away for future reference in the event Argentina advances to visit a tougher team that also chooses to play on an indoor hard court or carpet.

And your take?