Questionable personnel selection reflects poorly on Davis Cup finals

The debate is ongoing, the outcome is still open. It was initiated by a Canadian, but it’s about the American team. But somehow Brayden Schnur – who slipped briefly into the top 100 as a career high three years ago – seems to have a heart for Rajeem Ram.

In any case, Schnur posed the legitimate question on Twitter as to why Ram wasn’t allowed to travel to Malaga, where Mardy Fish’s team lost to the Italians in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in the decisive doubles.

US star Paul says he doesn’t even know Brayden Schnur

The answers weren’t exactly satisfactory, at least from Schnur’s point of view. His theory that Ram’s nomination failed due to the egos of the players present (Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock) did not go down particularly well with Fritz.

Paul also let it be known that he didn’t even know who cord was and what exactly it had to do with tennis.

Berrettini surprisingly at the start

In Italy, tennis fans have also had a discussion template since yesterday, which differs from that in the USA, that a man who had actually already ended his season suddenly came to the court for the semi-final pair skating alongside Fabio Fognini: Matteo Berrettini.

How did that go down with Simone Bolelli, who sent the USA home with regular partner Fognini? Difficult to say, but Bolelli was the cheerleader early Saturday night.

Berrettini, however, could not live up to expectations. Which is not a big surprise in view of the recent past: After the final defeat against Lorenzo Musetti in Naples, Berrettini had to take a break due to a foot injury, missed several tournaments and thus the chance of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin after all.

Now the Roman had officially arrived as part of the Italian team – but according to general opinion it was more as moral support. Precisely because Berrettini has already said goodbye to Instagram for the holidays.

Pospisil and Auger-Aliassime successful doubles players

One could say that a Rajeev Ram/Jack Sock double would have prevented Matteo Berrettini and his team boss Filippo Volandri from even speculating about a match against Canada.

Or consider that Bolelli/Fognini, once champions at the Australian Open, would have had a better chance against Félix Auger-Aliassime and Vasek Pospisil.

But that would ignore the fact that the two Canadians are also very competent doubles players. As is well known, Pospisil has already won Wimbledon with Jack Sock. And Auger-Aliassime together with Hubert Hurkacz in Paris-Bercy.

Let’s see if and who in Italy tweets the frustration from the soul.

The original of this post “Questionable personnel selection casts a bad light on Davis Cup finals” comes from tennisnet.com.