The U.S. may be looking down the mountain for a change in Davis Cup action thanks to 6'9" John Isner. Currently ranked number 9 in the world and rising fast, Isner IS the mountain to climb. Defending champion Spain–three times a winner in the last four years–is the next opponent for the Team USA camp's quest for the Davis Cup as Isner and company took out a feisty French team in the quarterfinals this early April by a score of 3-2.
The win was clinched when Isner beat Joe Wifred-Tsonga in four sets by the score of 6-3, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-3. Big John had already defeated Frances' Gilles Simon two days prior, and along with a win in doubles by the Bryan Brothers, a large task fell to the now Davis Cup veteran Isner as he faced world number 5 Tsonga. No problem, right? After all, Isner only took out Roger Federer by a score of 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-2-feds first loss in Davis Cup in 8 years-as the US defeated the Swiss team 5-0.
American captain Jim Courier–himself a 4 time Grand Slam title champion–feels very confident that his team's momentum will carry them into a formidable battle with Spain. Said Courier, "Spain, we’d probably lose it on paper. “But they don’t play it on paper. We have to play it and we have players who are capable and passionate and hungry. We’re going to be the underdog but we’ll be ready to play.”
The U.S.A. has been the Davis Cup champions 32 times, but they have fallen short since their last win in 2007.
Friday, April 13, 2012
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