Tsonga, Gasquet, the logic of the group
Yannick Noah has repeatedly explained: place two players double specialists is leaving only two players simple in the group. And in case of injury, it calls into question all the collective balance. And dispense with a member of the Top 20 Global individually is not easy. “Today we have no doubles players that really stand out,” said the captain. “When we choose to align our two singles players for the double, you have to sacrifice almost two players who are in the first fifteen world. It’s not easy. It’s kind of the problem that have met my predecessors Guy (Forget) and Arnaud (Clement). This time, it happens like that. But the problem will arise in every game. “
This is why he chose to spend the pair Nicolas Mahut-Pierre-Hugues Herbert , finalist of the US Open and Queen’s 2015 (but did not shine on clay courts), preferring to call Edouard Roger -Vasselin associated with Julien Benneteau and who reached the French Open final in 2014. VRE is replacing in Guadeloupe, and from the start, the Gasquet-Tsonga duo which was put forward to play Saturday. With workouts accordingly: “The double has always been important in our history of Davis Cup,” recalled Cédric Pioline , the assistant captain of France
Tsonga. -Gasquet, logic level
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga associated with Richard Gasquet this is not new. Arnaud Clement has already lined up at the famous adventure of 2014, who led France to the final. If Tsonga was not injured, the two men would certainly have teamed up to face Lille Federer-Wawrinka . And as Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon do not really have profiles or a passion, ideal for the double, the choice is quickly made.
video: Tsonga, Gasquet victorious against Australia in 2014
in 2014, Gasquet and Tsonga had beaten the Australians Guccione Hewitt in the 1st round, then Berdych-Stepanek in the semis. Each time on clay courts. Each time after playing (and won) the first two simple. This Saturday, the 9th and 10th in the world will enter the field with much freshness. If they remain primarily singles players, Gasquet and Tsonga may present complementary profiles in duplicate. The first has a huge setback and good service returns, while the second has one of the biggest forehands circuit, and incredible service. It is therefore logical to see the Biterrois receive left and right Manceau. A constancy of Gasquet , Tsonga adds its brilliance and power. Much more “puncher”, the French No.1 must assume the role of one who ends the points. It must above all to forget his last outing in this exercise, the Queen’s Nicolas Mahut in the quarterfinals last season. his only loss in double for France (he was unbeaten in three games with Michael Llodra , and is undefeated with Richard Gasquet in two games).
Tsonga, Gasquet, the choice of the future?
given the constraints laid down earlier by Yannick Noah on the risks coach when a double team, captain he will one day be tempted to deviate from this rule? Yes, only on fast surface, where the duo Mahut-Herbert has had its best results. Unless, that Benneteau back to his best after a practically white season due to injury. His association with Edouard Roger-Vasselin , on clay courts, can rival the duo Tsonga, Gasquet . But do not forget that the latter two are also very effective on hard courts in singles. There is no reason, with adequate preparation, they are not the duplicate
Video. The victory Benneteau Roger-Vasselin at Roland Garros in 2014
however, what will be the choice of Yannick Noah will play on hard courts regarding simple? The choice of Tsonga and Gasquet could then impose on Friday, forcing them to continue with the dual, as time Arnaud Clement . Except Mahut then-coach Herbert and thus make an outright cross Monfils or Simon , only one may be present in the group. Time of his first captaincy, Noah had never hesitated to launch double its singles players (final in Lyon with Forget Leconte in 1991), so that he was himself singles player and doubles during his career in the field. He knows that in a hung meeting face great nations which are present members of the Top 8 (Serbia, Switzerland, Spain, Great Britain, Czech Republic), points in singles are not guaranteed. One double can thus change everything.
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