(This has been updated with the day’s results – updated standings can be found at the bottom of this post)
Davis Cup Final – Doubles Rubber
3rd Rubber 1st Possibility (Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek vs. Marc López and Marcel Granollers)
(Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek won, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-3 – Read all about it here)
Amy’s Pick: Regardless of surface, I think Lopez/Granollers have the edge. Doubles aren’t the easiest to pick, but Berdych and Stepanek are the weaker team. We also have to consider the fact that the Czechs both played singles matches on Day 1 of the tie. Berdych spent almost four hours on court disposing of Almagro. Lopez/Granollers in four sets.
Lindsay’s Pick: Doubles is a fickle monster. M&M are coming off the biggest title of their career, winning the WTFs, and have confidence on their side. But BerdWorm are not to be taken lightly in the doubles department, especially not in front of their home crowd and in what is essentially a must-win situation. I think that BerdWorm take it in 4 sets, setting us up for a fabulous final day. I cannot wait.
Juan José’s Pick: Berdych and Stepanek have a great record together, but they’ll be under a ton of pressure tomorrow. Additionally, their legs won’t be there to help them out, particularly in Berdych’s case. Also, we saw what kind of effect Berdych’s trash talk had on Almagro – I think it’ll have a similar effect on the M&Ms, who come off a huge win indoors at the WTFs. I say the crowd gives the home team a set, but the World Tour Finals champions seal it in 4.
3rd Rubber 2nd Possibility (Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol vs. Marc López and Marcel Granollers)
Amy’s Pick: If the Czech team rolls out Minar and Rosol, I expect Lopez and Granollers to steamroll them in straights.
Lindsay’s Pick: Oh I mean if this is the case then M&M it is. I mean Ivo Minar?! I don’t even know what to make of that.
Juan José’s Pick: I actually think this is what Navratil should do – rest his star singles players so they can do their thing on Sunday with fresh legs. However, there’s only a small chance this bizarre pairing of Minar and Rosol shows up on Saturday, since Berdych more or less said he’ll play tomorrow. There’s the historical precedent of the semis in Argentina, when the Czech no.1 played three straight days, even after going five in the first rubber against Mónaco. Regardless, I say that if Team Random shows up, they push the surprised and confused M&Ms all the way to a fifth set, but ultimately fall short.
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Standings after the Day 3 Results:
Juan José: 10-6
Lindsay: 9-7
Amy: 8-8