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Davis
Cup FINAL: Day 2
Woody and Wayne slam Spain
for 2-1 lead
By
Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net
Susan Mullane/
Camerawork USA |
Playing in his record-breaking
29th Davis Cup tie, Aussie Todd Woodbridge combined with Wayne
Arthurs and put on one of the most impressive doubles displays
ever seen in a final when they crushed Alex Corretja and Feliciano
Lopez 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 to give their nation a 2-1 lead heading into
Sunday.
"Todd has mastered the art of doubles," Aussie captain
Jon Fitzgerald said of the man who co-owns the most doubles title
ever with 78. "He was a maestro and Wayne Arthurs has come
a long way over the last two years." In a bit of an overstatement
(are you listening Bob and Mike Bryan?), Fitzy added, "Realistically
… they are probably the best doubles combination in the
world right now."
Spanish captain Jordi Arrese must be kicking himself for not bringing
Albert Costa along to team with Corretja, who appears to have
lost a significant amount of skill as well as fight. While Costa
is no lover of grass, at least he has the experience, resume and
friend’s trust to lift a partner when he is down. Lopez
has no such credentials and obviously failed to bring out his
big game either. As good as the Aussies are, if Corretja and Lopez
had played well, this one had five sets written all over it.
Siggi Bucher |
But not to two-time French finalist
Corretja, who has been stunned and amazed all year by how good
his foes have become. "They played a high level of tennis,"
said Corretja. "For us it was like playing against (people)
from another planet."
Actually, the Aussies are very
human foes but few understand the vagaries of grass better than
eight-time Wimbledon champ Woodbridge. "I felt really good
in the pre-match warmup and then again when we were out there
for the warmup," Woodbridge said. "I also said to Wayne
before he served 'This feels really good.' … I think I missed
only two balls and hit a whole heap of winners. … I've only
played as well as I did today once or twice in Wimbledon finals."
Woodbridge put to rest any soft rumors that he’s going to
retire. However, if Corretja can’t rediscover his game,
maybe the once formidable spiritual leader of Equipo Español
should consider hanging it up.
Fitzy Props Flip
Fitzgerald
is propping up Mark Philippoussis is a big way for his possibly
deciding match against Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Flipper was beached
by Carlos Moya on Friday and maybe he needs his captain and teammates
telling him how good he is, because the rest of the world knows
he’s very vulnerable.
Even though they are playing on grass, Ferrero is more than capable
of turning Flip over on his back.
"You'll see a different player out there ," Fitzgerald
said. "I promise you, this guy tries his heart out every
time he goes onto the court."
If Flip does flounder, the fifth and deciding match between Friday
winners Moya and Lleyton Hewitt is sure to be legendary.
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