Article

  • Davis Cup Semifinal: Rafael Nadal vs. Sam Querrey

    9/18/08 5:33 PM | Jonathan Morgan
    - Sam Querrey's very first Davis Cup match will be against World #1 Rafael Nadal on clay in Spain. Piece of cake, no?

    After James Blake could not make it to this semi due to mental and physical exhaustion, young Sam Querrey was picked by captain Patrick McEnroe to step in. Querrey has been on the Davis Cup practice squad many times and at a month shy of his 21st birthday, we can be assured this will not be Querrey's only Davis Cup appearance.

    As for the match at hand, Querrey has no chance. The only way for Querrey to win is if Nadal simply forgets to show up. Querrey is a fine player and has had a career season thus far, currently ranking in the top 40. Querrey's big serve got him a set and pushed Nadal to the brink back at the US Open, losing in 4. Clay is an entirely different monster, however, and so is Nadal on the surface.

    Nadal's 4 consecutive Roland Garros titles and all his historic clay merits are well known. He is arguably already in the top 3 all time clay courters at only 22. Nadal will have little to no trouble dispatching of Querrey, but that is not the point here. Querrey doesn't need to look at this as a must-win match. Sam needs to see this as a good learning experience for himself so he can come back next year much better. Nadal will take this easily and the Spaniards will be up 1-0.

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Comments

Go Nadal, go, you're the best, in spite of fact, I'm the biggest fan of Nole, I have to admit, you're the best player, such a nice, polite and humble guy...

gordana , 9/19/08 11:41 AM


Querrey actually managed to get a set. Does this mean there is hope for the Americans? Doubtful.

RickyDimon , 9/19/08 4:19 PM


surprisingly, it took rafa 3 hrs. to take the match from querry.
ferrer might have a hard time with him as well... sam is playing very agressive tennis.

agf25agf , 9/19/08 5:22 PM


Ferrer won't have to play Querrey. Now that he has given Spain a 2-0 lead, this tie will be over at the latest after Nadal gets past Roddick, if not after the doubles match tomorrow.

RickyDimon , 9/19/08 7:34 PM


Clay is the Spaniard's kingdom + 20,000 people cheering for the matadors + the KING of CLAY... it will take a miracle from heaven for the U.S.A to go home victorious.

agf25agf , 9/19/08 11:58 PM



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