Australia vs Argentina, DC 05 (Read Disclaimer)

[Patrik Sjöberg]

Ok, enough of the drooling of Carla for now and she has been seen around the past 2 days, but I have a tennis update to provide.

[Choupi]

Yes please, let's come back to tennis!

[Patrik Sjöberg]

Thanks to the organisers for delaying the start of the match, because there were transport problems and that made it better so more people could make it in there. In Sydney, they got it right for the Olympics, but they did not provide extra train services to the venue, like they normally do, when a major event is on.

Hewitt vs Coria, well it was fun this match for many reasons and not just for the press conference afterwards. Well I was cheering for Coria, mainly for professional reasons, but I didn't think he had a realistic chance of winning this match, but if he could keep Hewitt out on court for a while and frustrate them, then the benefit would come later.

Even before the match, the court was a bit slippery and Coria did a slide to illustrate the point, and therefore was getting in early with the antics. The match started off alright and they were quite close early, then got Coria got a break and was serving for the set at 5-4, but played a tentative game, while Hewitt stepped it up and got the break back and they held onto to the breaker. Coria played some intelligent tennis and hit some good dropshots and led 5-4 with 2 points on his serve, but proceded to be passive and lose the breaker.

There was some feeling during this match, that charged the atmosphere up in the crowd, which made it enjoyable. One thing is that 30 Argentines is more than enough noise to compete with the Aussie crowds, and after Hewitt won the 1st set, the lawnmower gesture came out with a bit more feeling than usual.

There was the feeling that after losing the 1st set that the best Coria could do was damage control, then all the antics came into play, Coria giving the fist pump to the Fanatics, then Hewitt doing his usual antics, plus Coria was at it, with the continous complaint of line calls and Mancini wasn't shy about having the odd word with the officials.

It was just a laugh, that the result wasn't important at all, with Coria doing the vicht and when he hit a smash towards Hewitt, the easiest way to win a point. He wanted to put the hand up and apologise, but Hewitt just didn't look back, so Coria forgot about it. Hewitt said a few things to Coria, the bottom line the match was fun, they were as bad as each other and it was great to see it. Two pricks on court being themselves and all the apologists trying to defend the behaviour, should just relax and enjoy the show that it was.

Nalle vs Arthurs, the Argentines had to win this match and Nalle come out firing, just handling Arthurs serve with ease and broke in the 1st game to hold onto the set. Arthurs was really hopeless from the baseline and Nalle was serving quite well and had everything under control until the 2nd set, when he lost his serve at 6-5, then I was waiting for Arthurs to choke and he did the right thing. Similar to the first match, there was never a feeling that Nalle was going to lose this at any stage, then he played a good tiebreaker for a 2 sets to love lead, then it decided to rain.

They came back from the delay and then proceded to continue on and I was just hoping that they would hurry up and end this match. Arthurs was serving better and they put the lights on, then Nalle drops his serve to lose it 7-5 and after that the match was called off for the day, as some people were booing, but logically it was the right thing to do. Why, condensation and dew on the court as it was dark and under lights, grasscourt tennis isn't meant for the winter.

One thing was clear that the footfault judge was sleeping when Arthurs was serving as he had at least 15 clear ones that were not picked up. One time Coria took one of the courtside chairs and decided to sit in line with the baseline, this was where I was sitting and sat there for 3 points, and for 2 of them, big Wayno did these clear footfaults and wasn't called on them.

[Patrik Sjöberg]

Day 2 later with a slightly bizarre beginning to it.


Well they decided to finish the match at 10.30 this morning, and this initially didn't seem a problem at all. I was on the way to the stadium and was going to be at worst maybe 30 minutes late, with the way I was going, but that didn't eventuate of course.

As I was on the train to the venue, the train got delayed as there was a bomb scare at the station I needed to get off to get to the venue. So I got off at the station before and walked 20 mins to the station, then had to wait for 10 mins to get onto the station, then wait another 15 mins before the trains would start running again.

All in all what happened is that I missed the last set of the Nalle vs Arthurs match, but from all reports he was very comfortable and the tie was at 1-1. I arrived as they were warming up for the doubles and I thought to myself, either Mancini is a genius or mad.

The team of Puerta and Nalle were outstanding and Puerta was the best player on court today by far, not that Nalle was shabby at all far from it. Puerta (aka the Door), who had some great chants playing on the theme of opening and closing the Door. He didn't lose serve at all in the match, and the only points he lost on serve, were because of double faults.

Nalle and Puerta couldn't get into the match early, Nalle returned well, but Puerta didn't, whereas Puerta was strong on serve, Nalle wasn't as strong. Nalle lost his serve first and thought here we go and then Hewitt got broken back and then it went to the breaker. There was a combination of good volleying, excellent returning and outstanding teamwork got the Argentines the advantage and I was so pissed off that Hewitt hit this massive 2nd serve fault, that wasn't called and they lost the point, but that was short lived as Nalle hit a good serve to close out the set.

Whereas in the 1st set, Hewitt was the weakest on serve, in the second set it was Arthurs that was broken as the Argentines continued their high level of play, while the match in itself wasn't so interesting, there was a lot on the line here and that could be felt on the benches and Mancini kept encouraging them at every point and the Fanatics were very quiet at this stage.

The 3rd set was more of the same, the Argentines were controlling the match and just exerted too much pressure on the Aussies with their better groundstrokes, Puerta was hitting some great forehands dipping at the feet, they hit some very good angles, leaving easy put away volleys, which they did very well.

After they laid the smackdown on the Aussies, the various groups of Argentine fans were celebrating with great joy and a match like this, showed the types of extreme feelings that DC can produce, the Argies know that was a huge win and it showed afterwards. Nalle did the speaking for both players at the after match interviews. Puerta was the true star on court today, he couldn't do a thing wrong and he showed such great form and that he lifted for the occasion was great to see and his enjoyment afterwards expressed that.

Then all the fans were singing and dancing outside after they won, both Nalle and Hewitt were very good in signing autographs when they came out of the press conference, this leaves the tie in a great position for Argentina. I hope it doesn't go down to the 5th match and there is no way they should replace Coria with Puerta.

[Choupi]

Thanks for the reports. Well, I've been lucky enough to be granted by French tv the right to see the 4th set of Nalby's match vs Arthurs and the 2nd and 3rd sets of the doubles. And I can understand your enthusiasm for the doubles match. It's true that it's been a great match from the Argies. And Mariano has been outstanding! Mancini is a gem! ;D So thanks Mr Mancini and thanks French tv! Needless to say that the vcr worked while I was watching! It's obvious that the opportunity to attend such events is so rare that I simply couldn't miss it!!! ;D

[adeegee]

I'm still struggling to believe Puerta could be the star of a grass court doubles match which had Lllllllllllllleyton, Bandy and Wayno on it until I see it with my own eyes ;D. I was hugely surprised by the scoreline, thanks for the report mate.

And just for good measure....Carla

[TennisHack]

Thanks GWH! I'd have loved to see Puerta on the grass w/Nalby.

Sorry the bomb scare ruined the first part of the day If Natalee Holloway wasn't the top story round here we might be hearing more about various international terrorist acts.

[Patrik Sjöberg]

I will have a report tomorrow.

[Choupi]

We'll wait. Even if it's not gonna be until Wednesday when I come back from Stuttgart that I'll be able to read it. Time to party now, not writing reports! ;D

[Patrik Sjöberg]

Just waiting for a call from some of the people I am meeting up with and as for partying, that won't happen.

To our Scottish friend Carla was looking very good and had these 3 crazy girls who were fawning over here, even worse than you.

[adeegee]

georgewhitler said:

To our Scottish friend Carla was looking very good and had these 3 crazy girls who were fawning over here, even worse than you.

Girls!?!?

Mind you, if I was female I think Carla would turn me into a lesbian. As for being worse than me, thats simply not possible

[Patrik Sjöberg]

No problems or bomb scares in making it to the stadium, this time around.

2-1 going into Day 3. The common theme among the Argentine fans were that Nalle would play well, but somehow Hewitt would win and it would go down to the last match, and wondering whether "Luli" Mancini would make changes to the 5th match and the like.

Little to know, that above scenario was crushed into submission. They came out and Hewitt seemed a bit flat and when Nalle broke in the 3rd game I thought this was good, but him being David, he isn't known for holding his serve, just after he has broken. This time it was nothing to wory about, the thing that was noticeable Nalle was hitting very good length and Hewitt seemed subdued. At 4-1 at the change of ends it was funny, as Coria gave Hewitt a big glare. Nalle continues on with his good play, hitting his backhand well, and took the 1st with a drop volley.

The 2nd set was a bit closer and I am thinking this could be a good day for Argentina, but since it's Hewitt, one can never underestimate him, but there were good signs. Hewitt didn't seem to up for the contest at all, this plus Nalle was playing well and very good under any pressure, the only spot where a possible momentum shift was when Hewitt won 7 points in a row as he broke Nalle and held to love, but this proved to be a false dawn. Another irony the man with a weak serve hit a huge ace on set point and Hewitt acknowledged it as a good serve.

The 3rd set well Nalle broke in the 2nd game and continued on his good form and I will staying waiting for some Hewitt histronics, but the small band of Argentine fans were just loving this, and yes even before this tie, he wasn't exactly the most popular among Argentines, and after the fun-filled Friday, he was even less so.

One funny incident was at 4-2 15-40 on Hewitt's serve and Nalle was robbed badly, two shots that were in that were called out. Fortunately it didn't effect the result, but they just changed the linespeople after that, and the Argentine fans gave him the chorus music when he left.

Then came the great moment, when Hewitt hit that shot in the net and the shock result was realised that Argentina had managed to win the tie, and the celebrations were fantastic from the players, support staff and the small but very loud Argentine fans. I have been to a few DC ties, it's the extremes of the emotions that I enjoy and Coria was hopping around like a rabbit on speed, they all played their role.

The on-court interview was a bit silly. I mean John Alexander says something like. "A warning - our boys will come back for you." What a fool, what they are going to come back to Argentina to eat a good steak I mean they are not going to beat them on clay.

Afterwards it was great, there were a few guys who were football fans that were sitting above the scoreboard, those guys are friends of mine and never been to a tennis match, but were making so much noise. The Fanatics were just stunned, it was great to see.

There were the chants, like if you don't hop, you are a gay kangaroo which does sound better in Spanish. When they came up to do the press, there was so much cheering and the fans were waiting for them as they scaled and were leaning over the security fence and Nalle was loving it and was very thankful for the support.

The last match was between Coria and Luczak. Luczak hates grass and I felt for him in this regard, but was happy that he could play the tie and he is easily my favourite Aussie player. He was good to all the fans afterwards and quite of the few Argentine fans wished him well. It was a good tiebreak, but even in a dead match Coria had to whine about line calls, they won the DC tie on grass, he should have been happy.

Puerta, Nalbandian, Mancini, Coria plus Leo Mayer who won't forget this experience at all, those guys pulled off the big result and it was great to see.

One guy said to Nalbandian. "If I am ever pissed off, I will just your match with Hewitt today", and it will be over.

[TennisHack]

LOL @ that guy at the end! Fantastic!

The pictures from this tie on from the professionals are hilarious. They have the controversial Canas tees, and apparently Coria was spitting in a bucket at some point? Wow, what an over-the-top tie. DC is wild and crazy but it seems like the death match between Hewitt and Coria on the first day just put everybody over the edge.

Thanks for the reports! Sounds like a good day to be rooting against the Fanatics ;D

[Patrik Sjöberg]

Yes, Coria did spit into the bucket and it's funny how some people are surprised that Luczak hates grass, mostly Coria fans.

The T-shirts, well some of the Argies didn't see the humour in it and there were almost a few fights because of that, but that didn't happen fortunately. The thing is I know a few of the Fanatics, most of the ones I know are fine, they are just beer monsters.

[Patrik Sjöberg]

adeegee said:

Girls!?!?

Mind you, if I was female I think Carla would turn me into a lesbian. As for being worse than me, thats simply not possible

Well Carla seems nice enough. I mean sure she is pretty, but I am not going to drool over here, then again maybe I am past that stage.

Yes, these girls weren't exactly stunners either.

[The Chloe]

The professionals? You mean like, getty?

[Patrik Sjöberg]

If I find a pic of the T-shirt I will post it here.

[The Chloe]

I saw a picture of the cartoon, but why was Coria spitting in a bucket?

[TennisHack]

admin said:

The professionals? You mean like, getty?

Or AP or Reuters, one of em

I posted the cartoon in the DC QFs thread, but here's the spitting picture...



Argentina's Guillermo Coria spits into a bucket offered by Australian supporters during his "dead-rubber" match against Australia's Peter Luczak in the Davis Cup world group quarter-final tie in Sydney July 17, 2005. Coria was accused by supporters of spitting at them during an earlier game. Coria defeated Luuczak 6-3 7-6 to give the Argentinian team a 4-1 victory over the Australians in the Davis Cup tie, after David Nalbandian had defeated Lleyton Hewitt earlier in the day. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

[The Chloe]

That's rather gross. Were they inviting him to spit, or was he just doing it?

[adeegee]

georgewhitler said:

Well Carla seems nice enough. I mean sure she is pretty, but I am not going to drool over here, then again maybe I am past that stage.

Yes, these girls weren't exactly stunners either.

I'm only joking about my obsession with her, I just like pointing out she's extremely good looking. I also noted Tiger Woods' wife is stunning by the way.

Anyway, cheers for the report, it was an interesting read and seemed like a great tie

[Patrik Sjöberg]

admin said:

That's rather gross. Were they inviting him to spit, or was he just doing it?

He was showing his sense of humour.

[The Chloe]

Classy ;D

[Patrik Sjöberg]

admin said:

Classy ;D

The Hewitt vs Coria match was such a laugh, it was quality entertainment. You'd have loved it.

[Patrik Sjöberg]

adeegee said:

I'm only joking about my obsession with her, I just like pointing out she's extremely good looking. I also noted Tiger Woods' wife is stunning by the way.

Anyway, cheers for the report, it was an interesting read and seemed like a great tie

Ellen is quite a good looking girl, but there are many like that in Sweden.

The thing I laughed about Carla was, she doesn't handle the cold well. I mean she would always be sitting in the sun, and then when the area was sitting got shaded over, she'd move to an area where the sun was.

[Choupi]

Thanks for the report. I'm a bit late, but as you know, I wasn't around to read here...for a very good cause! ;D

It seems that you had a great time and surely, living it from the inside must have been such an experience! And from what I have seen in Stuttgart, it seems that not many Argentine girls or ladies can stand the cold! I was sleeveless and they were with several pull-overs! It was windy, ok, but...

[Patrik Sjöberg]

Danke Choupi, yes I did have a good time and now I have to wait to Jan for the next installment of tennis sadly.

Well a lot of the team were from the regional areas, though none from the deep south, but yes some don't like the cold.

[Choupi]

Well, next tourney for me would probably be Metz. But no chance to meet those very friendly Argentines... Not before RG I guess.