Well, even tough the score, 4-1, looks to be a blowout on paper, those that watched the tie between Spain and the United States know that things are no always as they appear.  While the US never really had a chance to win, they fought hard and played extremely well.  Sam Querrey opened things up by going up a set and a break on Nadal, before Rafa seemingly played his way back into the match and won in four hard sets.  The next match was the back breaker for the defending champs.  Roddick went down 8-6 in the fifth set to David Ferrer in a terrific match, but utlimately left the US having to sweep the final three matches, an almost impossible feat.  Here are some headlines to keep you busy while you peruse the internet during work on a Friday:

Adidas getting back into the racquet business…

Steve Tignor’s Fall Preview.

Jon Wetheim’s latest mailbag.

35th Anniversary of the “Battle of the Sexes.”

ESPN Power Rankings

Great piece on Nick Bollettieri.

I was trying my best to avoid writing about this, but given it’s really the only thing of note going on in the tennis world, I’ll share my thoughts about the Davis Cup Semifinals occurring this weekend.

Tie 1: US (Roddick, Querrey, M. Bryan, Fish) vs. Spain (Nadal, Ferrer, Verdaso, Lopez) in Madrid on clay.

The reason I was trying to avoid it is because the defending Champion US Team is likely to get decimated in Spain.  Even before I learned of both James Blake and Bob Bryan being unable to play due to injury, I certainly did not think much of the American’s chances.  Now, without them, I am starting to hope that they don’t get shutout!  Originally, I actually talked myself into an upset – Bryans win their doubles match, Roddick certainly saves his best tennis for Davis Cup and could win a match, Blake has had success against Nadal, and Ferrer hasn’t been playing his best tennis lately. 

Now however, even with a very talented Sam Querrey filling in for Blake, I simply see no chance for the Americans.  The fact that the Bryans are not playing together means Spain will be favored in all five matches of this tie.  At the end, I see the US going down 4-1.

Tie 2: Russia (Davydenko, Andreev, Tursunov, Kunitsyn) vs. Argentina (Nalbandian, del Potro, Canas, Calleri) in Buenos Aires on clay.

This tie is far more intriguing, on paper anyway, than the Spain-US matchup.  Argentina looks to have a slight advantage, especially given that they are playing at home.  On top of that, they have one of the world’s hottest players, in Juan Martin del Potro.  However, the Argentines will have to overcome both the depth of the Russians, as well as history, if they are to advance to the Davis Cup Finals.  The Russians do not have a weak link on their team, and all but Kunitsyn have plenty of Davis Cup experience.  Furthermore, the Russians are 4-1 all time against Argentina.  However, I think the combination of home court and the singles duo of Nalbandian and del Potro will vault the Argentines into the final.  When all is said and done, I see Argentina winning 3-2.

It has been a long, too long, since I’ve written a blog.  However, that’s only because the US Open was an incredible success, for all parties involved – the USTA, the fans, the players (not to mention our business).  Since it has been a whole week since its transpired, I’ll spare you most of my thoughts regarding the tournament.  Instead I’ll just give you a few and give a rundown of links from other, more qualified writers. (more…)