OLYMPICS: MENS Doubles, 29/7 - 5/8 2012: Discussion thread (Murrays and Flemchins), draw in 1st post

[Sallydaisy]

http://www.tiauk.org/imagemanager_net/images/moreimages/2012_pictogram.JPG

LONDON 2012 - Olympics Tennis
All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, London
WEB SITE: http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/home.aspx

64 Draw Singles/32 Draw Doubles
SURFACE: Grass
BALL: Slazenger Wimbledon Ultra Vis Hydroguard

Main draw: Thursday, July 26, 11:00 a.m.
Doubles draw: Thursday, July 26, 11:00 a.m.
Mixed doubles draw: Tuesday, July 31, tba

ATP Ranking Points
Gold: 750, Silver: 450, Bronze: 340, SF: 270, QF: 135, R16: 70, R32: 35, R64: 5

MENS DOUBLES DRAW
Entry deadline: June 11, 2012 (released June 28, 2012)
Seeding: July 23, 2012

Bryan / Bryan (USA) [1]
Bellucci / Sa (BRA)
Kas / Petzschner (GER)
Davydenko / Youzhny (RUS)
Granollers / Lopez (ESP)
Erlich / Ram (ISR)
Nishikori / Soeda (JPN)
Federer / Wawrinka (SUI) [6]

Tipsarevic / Zimonjic (SRB) [3]
Klizan / Lacko (SVK)
Nestor / Pospisil (CAN)
Tecau / Ungur (ROU)
Fleming / Hutchins (GBR)
Benneteau / Gasquet (FRA)
Bury / Mirnyi (BLR)
Bhupathi / Bopanna (IND) [7]

Djokovic / Troicki (SRB) [8]
Brunstrom / Lindstedt (SWE)
Cilic / Dodig (CRO)
Cabal / Giraldo (COL)
Melzer / Peya (AUT)
Murray / Murray (GBR)
Ferrer / Lopez (ESP)
Fyrstenberg / Matkowski (POL) [4]

Berdych / Stepanek (CZE) [5]
Bracciali / Seppi (ITA)
Isner / Roddick (USA)
Melo / Soares (BRA)
Haase / Rojer (NED)
Paes / Vardhan (IND)
Nalbandian / Schwank (ARG)
Llodra / Tsonga (FRA) [2]

[RoastLamb]

Big kerfuffle going on in India with the announcement that Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi are to team up for the Olympics doubles instead of Bhupathi and Bopanna. Have to say, even though the latter have played with each other the past year together, I agree with the Indian Olympics committee on this one because Bopanna hasn't won any grand slams (yet - altho' I believe he did get to the US Open final with his Pakistan partner Qureshi) and the other two have tons of experience and the relevant successes. But I have a feeling Bhupathi will refuse to play now scuppering all three's chances. Of course, the committee could cave into the pressure, after all I can't imagine they'd want to not go for the gold.

[cazza99]

Chris Goldsmith ‏@TheTennisTalker

@colin_fleming good luck Col, will you get in the Olympics? or is it only the Murray Bros as i heard somewhere?

Colin Fleming ‏@colin_fleming

@TheTennisTalker thanks. Find out about Olympics on 28th. Fingers crossed

[RoastLamb]

I'm sure I made a post about the Indian pairing for the Olympics last week but it's gone. Or it's somewhere else. Don't know. :confused:

Anyway, the Indian tennis association initially announced that they were pairing up Paes and Bhupathi but after much protest from Bopanna and Bhupathi they've backtracked and given B&B the team now upsetting Paes. Very unfair to Paes considering how well he's done in slams compared to Bopanna. It'll be interesting to see how well B&B do now.

[Hawkeye]

You did!
Big kerfuffle going on in India with the announcement that Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi are to team up for the Olympics doubles instead of Bhupathi and Bopanna. Have to say, even though the latter have played with each other the past year together, I agree with the Indian Olympics committee on this one because Bopanna hasn't won any grand slams (yet - altho' I believe he did get to the US Open final with his Pakistan partner Qureshi) and the other two have tons of experience and the relevant successes. But I have a feeling Bhupathi will refuse to play now scuppering all three's chances. Of course, the committee could cave into the pressure, after all I can't imagine they'd want to not go for the gold.
I'm sure I made a post about the Indian pairing for the Olympics last week but it's gone. Or it's somewhere else. Don't know. :confused:

Anyway, the Indian tennis association initially announced that they were pairing up Paes and Bhupathi but after much protest from Bopanna and Bhupathi they've backtracked and given B&B the team now upsetting Paes. Very unfair to Paes considering how well he's done in slams compared to Bopanna. It'll be interesting to see how well B&B do now.

[RoastLamb]

Ok :thanks: I'm glad I'm not going batty (just yet).

[rondun]

Fleming & Hutchins Are in!

[Sallydaisy]

Fleming & Hutchins Are in!

Excellent - so are the Murrays!

AnneK and Bally with Wildcards into the Ladies singles and Hev/Laura in dubs.

C Note ‏@FortyDeuceTwits (https://twitter.com/#!/FortyDeuceTwits)
Laura and Hev get a doubles wildcard into the Olympics. That. Is. Awesome.

[cazza99]

Jamie Murray ‏@jamie_murray

First taste of the Olympic Village. Now back to grass court training in the rain. pic.twitter.com/02xZoeFq
https://p.twimg.com/AyP7vCVCQAMu06X.jpg
picture from twitter

[cazza99]

diaijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=144953) - Record-equalling Number of Tennis Siblings in Olympics

[Sallydaisy]

We've put a thread here because Jamie Murray is in the Mens Doubles - as is another British pair Fleming and Hutchines.

Since Jamie will be partnering kid brother Andy in this event it is likely that some discussion of the doubles will spill over into the threads in Andy Rules.

[Sallydaisy]

MENS DOUBLES - R1, British Players

Fleming/Hutchins v Benneteau/Gasquet

Andy and Jamie have drawn Melzer/Peya in R1.
:eek:

[JAMES4578]

Not the best draws but sure both teams can make an impact!

[supergran]

It will be what it will be. Good luck to both teams!!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Ferrer/Lopez def The Poles[4]
:shocked:

[Sallydaisy]

Sooooooooo, onto Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins.

They're up against Benneteau/Gasquet and it is 3-3 in the first set.

Here's our lads in action ....

https://twitpic.com/show/large/acsv52

[Sallydaisy]

Flemchins having a tough time out on court 17.
They were serving 2nd and at *5-6 needing to hold to stay in the first set.
Benny/Dickie had 2 set points but got pegged back to deuce and then Flemchins had a game point but the French pair have just taken the first set 7'5.

[Sallydaisy]

:sad:
Flemchins have been broken and BenGas are serving at 4-2 up in the 2nd set.

[Linda]

Oh no, Colin & Ross are just one game away from losing to Benneteau and Gasquet! Not both our male doubles pairs out on the same day! :crying:

Come on guys! Fight back!

[Linda]

And they lost 5-7 3-6 :crying: :crying: :crying:

[Sallydaisy]

:crying: :crying: :crying:

Oh no!

[JAMES4578]

Gutting for both Jamie/Andy and Colin/Ross! It just hasn't gone to plan today. Tight match with Melzer/Peya but the Murrays could make the decisive breakthrough and Jamie struggled somewhat on serve and did seem a bit temnse at trimes. Pity Fleming/Hutch couldn't really find their way back into the match after losing the tight first. Has to said though they were both quite tough openers.

[Jan]

oh no - just seen the Flemchins result. :sad:
Not a good day, apart from Bally. Let's hope the results tomorrow are an improvement.

[RFS]

How come Jamie is not in the Mixed (or planning to be) according to the BBC?

[Sallydaisy]

How come Jamie is not in the Mixed (or planning to be) according to the BBC?
It's only a 16-team draw and there are likely to be higher ranked players/potential teams fighting for places. Jamie doesn't meet the ITF criteria so he can't be on the entry list.

GBR can only nominate 2 men and 2 women and it's by ranking on 11th June (see below for ITF Rules). Colin Fleming (D#30) and Ross Hutchins (D#31) would be ahead of Jamie (D#35) for consideration; as would Andy with his #4 singles ranking at that date.

It's possible that GBR might not have a team in the Mixed Doubles event at all.

From various pages of the ITF Rules (http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/organisation/rules-regs.aspx) for the Olympics Mixed Doubles Tennis event:-

Draw of sixteen teams, both players from the same country and not more than two teams from any one country comprising: 12 Direct Acceptances and 4 ITF Places.

Four (4) ITF Places shall be selected for the mixed doubles event. Selection will be based on the recognised international computer rankings and geographical location.

The ITF will select doubles teams for direct acceptance from mixed doubles entries comprising players accepted in the singles and/or men’s/women’s doubles events, received from National Associations no later than Tuesday 31 July 2012 at 11.00, taking into account the recognised international singles and doubles computer rankings of 11 June 2012.

A maximum of two (2) men and two (2) women may compete as teams in the mixed doubles.

[Sallydaisy]

Must be really weird for Nole to be out on Court 12 today; he's playing doubles with Troicki.
:p

[RoastLamb]

I haven't been able to watch tennis on a ls all day (no links for some reason) BUT the French feed tv from Quebec showed the doubles between Team Canada (Danny and Vashy) and Team Romania. So I got to see the entire match. So thankful. And my guys won 6-3 7-6! :yahoo: But have to say that Vashy was stronger than Danny. :shocked:

[Linda]

The reigning doubles gold medallists have just lost the first set to Japan.

[cazza99]

The reigning doubles gold medallists have just lost the first set to Japan.
The Japanese are having a lucky afternoon. Hope they win.

[RoastLamb]

Leander Paes and partner won their match. :yahoo: They had an easier time of it than the other Indian team who won 8-6 in the third.

[cazza99]

The Slice ‏@TheSliceTweets

Roger and Stan competing in Synchronized Switzing today. Bronze, no, silver, no, sorry: Bronze. #London2012 http://twitpic.com/adl1k9
http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/627478569.jpg?key=609760&Expires=1343682271&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=NNUU21a9ew6VxjH~Ecl7TR6~VrvCIjLWaOgWy1sw 6zQ3USmUfLqrTj5x306DfCnnDr6o-l2O1K70rT6KcifqHOAEoaTXQnc3F-wrLqkMQZEz4PzYuhHKY1au~Uthy400sU4-l~uD3K4ZN1uv8hMGqRVqBYqRVqro33386xhR~HY_
picture from twitter

[RoastLamb]

:lol: I bet the Indian tennis fed are now kicking themselves for letting Bopanna play with Bhupathi coz they lost in the second round in straight sets. Serves them all right for messing with Leander Paes. Eejits!

[Sallydaisy]

Leander is in the Mixed Doubles with Mirza ......
;)

Which is a bit odd because according to the ITF Rules the players for Mixed should already be entered in either the Singles or Doubles Draws. Must be one of the ITF "wildcards".

EDIT: Paes partnered Vardhan in the Mens Dubs hence he's eligible for the Mixed.

[Lizzim]

Leander is in the Mixed Doubles with Mirza ......
;)

Which is a bit odd because according to the ITF Rules the players for Mixed should already be entered in either the Singles or Doubles Draws. Must be one of the ITF "wildcards".

Paes is in the doubles draw:

Paes / Vardhan (IND)

[Sallydaisy]

Paes is in the doubles draw:

Paes / Vardhan (IND)
Yes, I just edited my post 'cos I realised my error.
:shamed:

[RoastLamb]

Yup, I know but I think India would have been much better off if it had been Bhupathi paired with Paes and then Vardhan with Bopanna. Too late now. I'll really laugh my head off if Paes goes further with Vardhan. Or if he wins the mixed.

[RoastLamb]

Our Canuck boys lost the dubs 11-9 in the third. So close. No luck for Canada today. 0/3. :crying:

[Linda]

Fiona, did you see that pic of Milos with some of the Spanish team?

[RoastLamb]

Nope. Was it on twitter?

[Linda]

I've seen it in a few different places. Hold on and I'll find it.

http://postimage.org/image/9oq67d2db/

link to pic (http://postimage.org/image/9oq67d2db/)

[RoastLamb]

I've seen it in a few different places. Hold on and I'll find it.

http://postimage.org/image/9oq67d2db/

link to pic (http://postimage.org/image/9oq67d2db/)

That's cool! :thanks: I suppose he must know them all coz he trains in Barcelona and his coach is Spanish.

[RoastLamb]

Berdy/Steppy beaten by Team Brazil 24-22 in the third. :shocked: No tv coverage - shame. Ouch, that must hurt for Team Czech!

[Sallydaisy]

Steppy is back out on court 18 later to partner Hradecka against Andy/Laura.

[RoastLamb]

Hope he's cream crackered.

[Sallydaisy]

Erlich/Ram lead Federer/Wawrinka by 1'6, 7'6(5), 4'2 and now serving in the Mens Doubles.
;)

[Hawkeye]

Stanford will be in trouble.

[RoastLamb]

And the defending gold medallists are OOT! I think Fed did that on purpose to save himself for the singles.

[Linda]

Can't stand Erlich & Ram - I remember their unsporting behaviour when we played them in Davis Cup in Israel. Still, I guess the Bryans will beat them.

[supergran]

Stanford will be in trouble. Well, it was his fault!!!:lol:;):GBsmile:

[pabbers]

And the defending gold medallists are OOT! I think Fed did that on purpose to save himself for the singles.

Ooooooo..........doesn't that mean disqualification if badminton's anything to go by???? ;)

[RoastLamb]

Ooooooo..........doesn't that mean disqualification if badminton's anything to go by???? ;)

I wish!

[RoastLamb]

Cool! I get to watch Ferru/Floppy vs Team France now. Awesome! haven't seen either of these teams play so far.

[Linda]

Great. I'll be watching this too. Thought I would only get to see a bit of it before Andy's match started - never thought that Fed/DelPo would still be going now!

[RoastLamb]

Very physical dubs match this. :shocked:

[Linda]

Ooh, team Spain have the break in the third! :cheer:

. . . France get the break straight back :sad:

[RoastLamb]

Not anymore.

[Sallydaisy]

Great match to watch this!

Spain ahead 8-7 in the 3rd set with Tsonga serving to keep France in the match.

[Linda]

This could be another long match - 7-8 in the 3rd now.

[RoastLamb]

I had Team France winning the silver and my FTM so I would like them to win, por favor.

[Linda]

Yes, I have team France winning gold - and this match going to 10-8 in the 3rd - but I'm still supporting Team Spain.

[Linda]

I think this is the most exciting dubs match I've ever watched. France just saved 2 MPs - 1 more to go . . .

3rd one saved

9-9

[Sallydaisy]

Team Spain just had 3 match points against Llodra's serve but France have saved 'em all.

[Linda]

Another MP saved by France!

[cazza99]

Just realised there is an epic going on in the doubles too.

13-12 to France in the final set.

[Linda]

I've been watching the whole match! It's incredible! Spain have had 4 match points but all saved by France.

[RoastLamb]

Neverending this match. Trust Tsonga to be in two of the longest Olympic matches ever - all in one Olympics too!

[RoastLamb]

France to serve this monster epic out! Allez!

[Linda]

France won :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

[RoastLamb]

Good stuff, Team France! :cheer: I do hope Team Spain get the bronze now.

[Sallydaisy]

The Mens Bronze medal match is underway and it's 1-1 first set, French serving first.
The ITF scoreboard isn't very good so here's a link to Flashscores.
http://www.flashscores.co.uk/tennis/

[RoastLamb]

I'm watching it on computer and women's gold medal match on hd telly.

[RoastLamb]

Team France wins first set in tb. :sad: Rooting for Team Spain.

Ritchie is particularly excited - running about like crazy.

[Sallydaisy]

France has edged it with a break in the 2nd set for 3-1.
Make that 4-1 because they've just broken the Spanish pair again.

[RoastLamb]

Feeling :sad: for Team Spain. Team France seems high on something. No comments, -J-!

[-J-]

Feeling :sad: for Team Spain. Team France seems high on something. No comments, -J-!damit

[Sallydaisy]

Benny serving for the match for Team France.

[Sallydaisy]

BRONZE FOR FRANCE!
:bronze:

Benny and Ritchie in huge hug on the grass!
Delight all round they look as though they don't know whether to laugh or cry!!!

[RoastLamb]

Wow! They look ecstatic. Poor Spain, though, Beaten by two French teams in a row. Means France will win two of the three medals. Not bad! But nothing for Spain this Olympics. :grouphug:

[traveller7]

Well done France :)

[RoastLamb]

Bryans win in straights! 6-4 7-6

[Sallydaisy]

Well done Bob and Mike!!!!!

:gold:

[Linda]

Gutted for Ferru & Feli :sad:

[RoastLamb]

Sorry Linda. I was hoping they'd get the bronze too. :grouphug:

Still, I'm happy that Tsonga and Ritchie got medals as well.

[JAMES4578]

The Bryan's have had a few disappointments lately (though wasn't too fussed they lost in the Wimbledon semi) so fab they got the gold medal though Llodra and Tsonga had very tough semi. I was glad Ritchie got a medal too.