Prime time Davis Cup
By Richard Yallop
September 16, 2003
AUSTRALIA will break with a century-old tradition by playing this week's Davis Cup semi-final against Switzerland in Melbourne at night - to fit in with the wishes of broadcaster Channel Seven.
The tie, featuring Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis and Switzerland's Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, will begin on Friday at 3pm, with the second singles played in the evening to ensure Channel Seven can broadcast it in prime time.
Australia has chosen to play the semi-final as an "outdoor" tie, with the roof open in Rod Laver Arena. All previous outdoor matches have begun in the morning.
It is understood that the broadcasting arrangements have been overseen by network chief executive David Leckie.
A network spokesman declined to elaborate in the absence of the executives involved in the decision, but confirmed: "Seven was part of the consultative process over the timing of the tie."
With no Australian football finals scheduled for Friday night on the rival Ten Network or rugby league finals on Nine, the Davis Cup promises to provide Seven with an evening ratings winner.
A Tennis Australia spokesman confirmed the decision was taken for television.
"We're trying to be more TV-friendly, to be in prime time here, and to permit the match to be shown live at a more reasonable time in Europe," he said.
The second singles on Friday and Sunday are scheduled to start in the stadium not before 6.30pm, with Seven providing a delayed telecast at 7.30pm on Friday. Rain is forecast for Melbourne on Friday night.
The network will telecast Saturday's key doubles live at 3pm - in direct competition to Ten's AFL preliminary final between Collingwood and Port Adelaide, which is being played 300 metres away from Rod Laver Arena at the MCG.
Davis Cup - Aussies v. Swiss
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Donny
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Lleyton's handy man
September 16, 2003 from the Australian.
THE man known in tennis circles as Mr Fix It has worked wonders on Lleyton Hewitt's hip injury and the former world No.1 expects to be at peak fitness for the Davis Cup showdown with Switzerland.
Hewitt has been struggling with the hip flexor problem since his tough US Open quarter-final against Juan Carlos Ferrero.
But Melbourne chiropractor Andreas Bisaz revealed yesterday he had Hewitt on the mend.
"I've got to know Lleyton's physical strengths and weakness over five years both in my job with the Davis Cup team and also travelling with him personally at the grand slam tournaments," Bisaz said.
"I'm confident there will not be a problem and he should not be bothered by it when he plays his opening singles on Friday."
Australia play Switzerland in a semi-final on the Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park starting on Friday for the right to meet either Spain or Argentina in the final in December.
An Australian triumph this weekend will give Hewitt and co another home advantage in three months time.
The Davis Cup semi-final will be part of a monster sporting weekend in Melbourne - a fact that may influence the crowd numbers at Melbourne Park. Just a high lob from Centre Court is the MCG and on Saturday, Victoria's only team left in the AFL finals, Collingwood, meet Port Adelaide for the right to play in the grand final.
Mark Philippoussis is certain to be named as Hewitt's offsider in singles with Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs as the doubles combination for day two.
All eyes will be on the Wimbledon final rematch of last July when Philippoussis takes on the champion Roger Federer on day one.
Hewitt's opponent will either be Michel Kratochvil or George Bastl and in the reverse singles on Sunday it will be Federer. Australia took out the last Cup meeting in Zurich in the opening round of the 2000 competition with Philippoussis beating Bastl in the deciding fifth rubber.
September 16, 2003 from the Australian.
THE man known in tennis circles as Mr Fix It has worked wonders on Lleyton Hewitt's hip injury and the former world No.1 expects to be at peak fitness for the Davis Cup showdown with Switzerland.
Hewitt has been struggling with the hip flexor problem since his tough US Open quarter-final against Juan Carlos Ferrero.
But Melbourne chiropractor Andreas Bisaz revealed yesterday he had Hewitt on the mend.
"I've got to know Lleyton's physical strengths and weakness over five years both in my job with the Davis Cup team and also travelling with him personally at the grand slam tournaments," Bisaz said.
"I'm confident there will not be a problem and he should not be bothered by it when he plays his opening singles on Friday."
Australia play Switzerland in a semi-final on the Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park starting on Friday for the right to meet either Spain or Argentina in the final in December.
An Australian triumph this weekend will give Hewitt and co another home advantage in three months time.
The Davis Cup semi-final will be part of a monster sporting weekend in Melbourne - a fact that may influence the crowd numbers at Melbourne Park. Just a high lob from Centre Court is the MCG and on Saturday, Victoria's only team left in the AFL finals, Collingwood, meet Port Adelaide for the right to play in the grand final.
Mark Philippoussis is certain to be named as Hewitt's offsider in singles with Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs as the doubles combination for day two.
All eyes will be on the Wimbledon final rematch of last July when Philippoussis takes on the champion Roger Federer on day one.
Hewitt's opponent will either be Michel Kratochvil or George Bastl and in the reverse singles on Sunday it will be Federer. Australia took out the last Cup meeting in Zurich in the opening round of the 2000 competition with Philippoussis beating Bastl in the deciding fifth rubber.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
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Donny
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Swiss cheesed off
By Richard Yallop
September 17, 2003
THE Swiss team has lodged a complaint over Australia's decision to play this week's semi-final in Melbourne as an outdoor tie, warning that players could be injured in the cold conditions.
The International Tennis Federation-appointed referee for the tie, Jorge Diaz, from Portugal, confirmed yesterday that the Swiss had complained of the decision to play the tie with the Rod Laver Arena open.
Cold, wet conditions have caused the roof to be closed for most of the first two days of practice and this has not improved the health of Mark Philippoussis, who is still troubled by a bad cough as he prepares for his Wimbledon final re-match with Swiss No.1 Roger Federer in Friday's opening singles.
Swiss player-captain Marc Rosset warned that the low temperatures expected for the night matches on Friday and Sunday raised the danger of player injuries.
"I hope no-one will get injured," Rosset said.
Federer said he was surprised how cold the weather had been in Melbourne.
"You have to warm up well," Federer said.
Diaz will discuss the issue of the roof with team captains, Rosset and John Fitzgerald, this morning. But he said there was little he could do because Australia had requested to play the match as an outdoor tie.
"The rule is that this is an outdoor event, and we should try to play outdoors," Diaz said.
He has checked with the weather bureau, which is predicting an evening temperature of about 10C on Friday. "I have known a colder tie outdoors in Italy in February," Diaz said.
Rosset made clear his unhappiness with the Australian decision to play outdoors. "I think it would be better for the players and the spectators if the roof was closed," Rosset said.
Federer, the target of the Australian decision to play outdoors, said he was prepared for any eventuality.
"The tie is supposed to be played outdoors. I'm ready to play outdoors but, if the roof is closed, I'm ready to play indoors," Federer said.
The Australian team felt the wind and other weather conditions would disrupt Federer's finesse and serving power.
Despite Federer having won seven of his nine titles outdoors, including Wimbledon, Todd Woodbridge said: "Federer is a good indoor player and we are good outdoor players. We want conditions that will disrupt his rhythm."
Australian attention was focused on Philippoussis's condition in yesterday's practice, because of his inability to shake off the cough he has had since last week and reports that he has been troubled by the recurrence of a neck injury.
Asked if he had any injury problems, Philippoussis hesitated before replying, in a husky voice: "I'm feeling pretty good."
Watched by his father Nick, and Davis Cup coach Wally Masur, he started serving at half pace, but moved up to full speed when he teamed with Lleyton Hewitt in a doubles match against Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs.
Hewitt has been receiving treatment for a hip injury since the US Open, but is confident about his form. "Against (Juan Carlos) Ferrero, in the US Open semi-final, I felt it was the best I'd played all year."
By Richard Yallop
September 17, 2003
THE Swiss team has lodged a complaint over Australia's decision to play this week's semi-final in Melbourne as an outdoor tie, warning that players could be injured in the cold conditions.
The International Tennis Federation-appointed referee for the tie, Jorge Diaz, from Portugal, confirmed yesterday that the Swiss had complained of the decision to play the tie with the Rod Laver Arena open.
Cold, wet conditions have caused the roof to be closed for most of the first two days of practice and this has not improved the health of Mark Philippoussis, who is still troubled by a bad cough as he prepares for his Wimbledon final re-match with Swiss No.1 Roger Federer in Friday's opening singles.
Swiss player-captain Marc Rosset warned that the low temperatures expected for the night matches on Friday and Sunday raised the danger of player injuries.
"I hope no-one will get injured," Rosset said.
Federer said he was surprised how cold the weather had been in Melbourne.
"You have to warm up well," Federer said.
Diaz will discuss the issue of the roof with team captains, Rosset and John Fitzgerald, this morning. But he said there was little he could do because Australia had requested to play the match as an outdoor tie.
"The rule is that this is an outdoor event, and we should try to play outdoors," Diaz said.
He has checked with the weather bureau, which is predicting an evening temperature of about 10C on Friday. "I have known a colder tie outdoors in Italy in February," Diaz said.
Rosset made clear his unhappiness with the Australian decision to play outdoors. "I think it would be better for the players and the spectators if the roof was closed," Rosset said.
Federer, the target of the Australian decision to play outdoors, said he was prepared for any eventuality.
"The tie is supposed to be played outdoors. I'm ready to play outdoors but, if the roof is closed, I'm ready to play indoors," Federer said.
The Australian team felt the wind and other weather conditions would disrupt Federer's finesse and serving power.
Despite Federer having won seven of his nine titles outdoors, including Wimbledon, Todd Woodbridge said: "Federer is a good indoor player and we are good outdoor players. We want conditions that will disrupt his rhythm."
Australian attention was focused on Philippoussis's condition in yesterday's practice, because of his inability to shake off the cough he has had since last week and reports that he has been troubled by the recurrence of a neck injury.
Asked if he had any injury problems, Philippoussis hesitated before replying, in a husky voice: "I'm feeling pretty good."
Watched by his father Nick, and Davis Cup coach Wally Masur, he started serving at half pace, but moved up to full speed when he teamed with Lleyton Hewitt in a doubles match against Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs.
Hewitt has been receiving treatment for a hip injury since the US Open, but is confident about his form. "Against (Juan Carlos) Ferrero, in the US Open semi-final, I felt it was the best I'd played all year."
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
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Donny
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Scud-Federer meet again
September 18, 2003
MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS will meet world No.1, Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in tomorrow's second singles in the Davis Cup semi-final with Switzerland at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.
The repeat of this year's Wimbledon final - which the Swiss won - will follow Australia's No.1 Lleyton Hewitt against Michael Kratochvil.
Switzerland pulled a minor surprise by naming team captain Marc Rosset for Saturday's key doubles match.
Rosset, 32, will partner Federer in a match which could decide the tie.
Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs will team for Australia.
The draw:
Tomorrow
Singles
Lleyton Hewitt v Michel Kratochvil
Mark Philippoussis v Roger Federer (Sui)
Saturday
Doubles
Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs v Marc Rosset and Federer
Sunday
Reverse singles
Hewitt v Federer
Philippoussis v Kratochvil
September 18, 2003
MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS will meet world No.1, Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in tomorrow's second singles in the Davis Cup semi-final with Switzerland at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.
The repeat of this year's Wimbledon final - which the Swiss won - will follow Australia's No.1 Lleyton Hewitt against Michael Kratochvil.
Switzerland pulled a minor surprise by naming team captain Marc Rosset for Saturday's key doubles match.
Rosset, 32, will partner Federer in a match which could decide the tie.
Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs will team for Australia.
The draw:
Tomorrow
Singles
Lleyton Hewitt v Michel Kratochvil
Mark Philippoussis v Roger Federer (Sui)
Saturday
Doubles
Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs v Marc Rosset and Federer
Sunday
Reverse singles
Hewitt v Federer
Philippoussis v Kratochvil
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
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Donny
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Hewitt gives Aussies lead
September 19, 2003
LLEYTON HEWITT got Australia off to the perfect start in its Davis Cup semi-final against Switzerland today, notching a straight-sets win in the opening singles rubber.
The world No.7 had been expected to crush his Swiss opponent Michel Kratochvil and he didn't let anyone down, winning 6- 4 6-4 6-1 in 108 minutes.
"Obviously I felt good out there," Hewitt said.
"I played well and I was aggressive from the start."
Hewitt asserted himself at the earliest opportunity, breaking Kratochvil's serve in the opening game of the tie.
It turned out to be the only service break of a set in which Hewitt's own serve was never seriously threatened.
In the second set Hewitt broke in the third game to lead 2-1, with the remainder of the games again going with serve.
With the 129th-ranked Kratochvil now under extreme pressure, Hewitt rolled through the third set in a tick under half-an-hour, breaking serve in the third and fifth games.
"I tried to keep the pressure on when I was 2-0 up and tried to get on top of him," he said.
"Whether it was three, four or five sets I was just happy to win."
Despite coming up against a comparatively lowly-ranked opponent, the win will have been a relief for Hewitt.
He had been troubled by a hip problem that hampered him during the recent US Open and before that had been playing slightly below his best.
But today's success helped rid him of any doubts he may have had.
"I felt confident, I was moving well and I've had a good preparation this week." he said.
In today's second match, Mark Philippoussis meets Roger Federer in a repeat of this year's Wimbledon final, which was won by the Swiss.
September 19, 2003
LLEYTON HEWITT got Australia off to the perfect start in its Davis Cup semi-final against Switzerland today, notching a straight-sets win in the opening singles rubber.
The world No.7 had been expected to crush his Swiss opponent Michel Kratochvil and he didn't let anyone down, winning 6- 4 6-4 6-1 in 108 minutes.
"Obviously I felt good out there," Hewitt said.
"I played well and I was aggressive from the start."
Hewitt asserted himself at the earliest opportunity, breaking Kratochvil's serve in the opening game of the tie.
It turned out to be the only service break of a set in which Hewitt's own serve was never seriously threatened.
In the second set Hewitt broke in the third game to lead 2-1, with the remainder of the games again going with serve.
With the 129th-ranked Kratochvil now under extreme pressure, Hewitt rolled through the third set in a tick under half-an-hour, breaking serve in the third and fifth games.
"I tried to keep the pressure on when I was 2-0 up and tried to get on top of him," he said.
"Whether it was three, four or five sets I was just happy to win."
Despite coming up against a comparatively lowly-ranked opponent, the win will have been a relief for Hewitt.
He had been troubled by a hip problem that hampered him during the recent US Open and before that had been playing slightly below his best.
But today's success helped rid him of any doubts he may have had.
"I felt confident, I was moving well and I've had a good preparation this week." he said.
In today's second match, Mark Philippoussis meets Roger Federer in a repeat of this year's Wimbledon final, which was won by the Swiss.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
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Donny
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I agree with Fradam. This bloke is quite incredible.
I've never particularly liked him but he has amazing tenacity and spirit. He didn't just win a 5 setter. He was down 2 sets to love and 3-5 but somehow got it back to 6-6 before winning the tie breaker and the next set, 7-5, before racing through the 5th. 6-1 !!
To further put this win into perspective, Federer is the reigning Wimbledon champ and had won 10 Davis Cup matches in succession.
I remember him beating Ferrero at the end of last year to win the 'best of the best' (world's top eight) tournament. He was gone for all money but gutsed it out and won in 5 sets.
And you gotta love the Aussie larrikin spirit as he announced with unbridled emotion, "Who cares about the U.S. Open and Wimbledon when you can do THIS !!" - referring to winning a Davis Cup match in Oz - straight after his match with Federer.
I've never particularly liked him but he has amazing tenacity and spirit. He didn't just win a 5 setter. He was down 2 sets to love and 3-5 but somehow got it back to 6-6 before winning the tie breaker and the next set, 7-5, before racing through the 5th. 6-1 !!
To further put this win into perspective, Federer is the reigning Wimbledon champ and had won 10 Davis Cup matches in succession.
I remember him beating Ferrero at the end of last year to win the 'best of the best' (world's top eight) tournament. He was gone for all money but gutsed it out and won in 5 sets.
And you gotta love the Aussie larrikin spirit as he announced with unbridled emotion, "Who cares about the U.S. Open and Wimbledon when you can do THIS !!" - referring to winning a Davis Cup match in Oz - straight after his match with Federer.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.