Davis Cup final

[Donny]

Moya levels Cup tie
November 28, 2003

A HEROIC Lleyton Hewitt gave life to Australia's Davis Cup final hopes on a day when tennis officials and teammate Mark Philippoussis both got it wrong in Melbourne today.

As he did in the semi-final against Switzerland two months ago, Hewitt again seemed destined for defeat in his opening singles match.

But with a dose of determination similar to that which pulled the semi out of the fire, the 22-year-old dragged himself off the floor against Spanish No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero to win 3-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 (7-0) 6-2.

As inspirational as Hewitt's effort seemed, it failed to get Philippoussis over the line against Carlos Moya who levelled the tie with his 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-4) victory.

Hewitt's effort followed one of the more embarrassing blunders ever seen at a major sports event when Australian tennis officials arranged for an incorrect Spanish national anthem to be played at the Cup's opening ceremony.

The officials had sent a CD of world anthems to Sydney several weeks ago for celebrated trumpeter James Morrison to learn the anthem and play it at the ceremony.

Morrison gave a perfect rendition, but it was the wrong tune.

Irate Spanish dignitaries, including Ambassador Jose Ramon Baranano Fernandez and Spain's Sports Minister Juan Antonio Gomez-Angulo stormed out of the grandstand in disgust, later demanding a formal apology from the Australian government.

[Donny]

Woodbridge and Arthurs are blitzing in the doubles.

They lead 2 sets to 0. 6-3 6-1

[HAL]

What else do they do?

[Donny]

All over. 6-3 in the third.

Australia leads 2-1.

[HAL]

Noplace in particular?

[Donny]

Aussies win doubles
November 29, 2003

Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs defeated Alex Corretja and Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-1 6-3 this afternoon to give Australia a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup final.


Doubles

Todd Woodbridge-Wayne Arthurs (AUS) bt Alex Corretja-Feliciano Lopez (SPA) 6-3 6-1 6-3.

Friday's singles:

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) bt Juan Carlos Ferrero (SPA) 3-6 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-2

Carlos Moya (SPA) bt Mark Philippoussis (AUS) 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7/4)

[Donny]

Scud's cup victory
November 30, 2003

MARK Philippoussis has defied the pain of a shoulder injury to lead Australia to victory in the Davis Cup tennis final against Spain in Melbourne.

Philippoussis defeated Spain's world No.3 Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5 6-3 1-6 2-6 6-0 in three hours 13 minutes to give Australia a 3-1 victory in the tie.

Philippoussis looked headed for defeat when he required a lengthy injury time 0ut on courtside to treat a painful right shoulder after Ferrero roared back and levelled the tie at two sets all.

Despite wincing in pain when serving, he broke Ferrero's serve three times in racing through the final set without dropping a game.

It's the second time Philippoussis has led Australia to victory in the Davis Cup having clinched the 1999 final against France on clay in Nice.

It was Australia's 28th Davis Cup title and first at home since beating Sweden on grass at Kooyong in Melbourne in 1986.

[Donny]

GO RUPERT 10 says: COP THAT SPAIN !!

well well well how sweet revenge is after the abuse that we got from the spainards in 2000
just like the mighty pies are gonna get thier revenge in 2004 an all those people who bagged us after the 03 gf
so meanwhile spain go and have a cry after your national anthem was played wrong(im still in stiches over that)
cause weve got the davis cup and weve got OUR
REVENGE!

[Newelly]

When did we last hold the Davis Cup?

[Donny]

What a tremendous effort from Mark Philippoussis !

To win the last set, 6-0, after being walloped, 6-1, 6-2 in the 3rd. and 4th., with a crook serving shoulder is pure guts.

Well done, Scud.

[Donny]

1999, Doc. We beat France.

The Scud also starred in that victory.

[Donny]

Scud's cup victory
November 30, 2003

AUSTRALIA today snared their 28th Davis Cup when Mark Philippoussis orchestrated a dramatic and intense victory over Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero.

His enthralling 7-5 6-3 1-6 2-6 6-0 win gave Australia a winning 3-1 lead after the opening day's singles spoils were shared and Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs won yesterday's doubles rubber.

Philippoussis fought off early nerves, a fearsome comeback from Ferrero and shoulder pain and later said it was the supporters who had carried him to victory.

"If it wasn't for you guys there's no way I would have got through that match, so thank you so much," Philippoussis told the Melbourne Park crowd.

He said he and his teammates, Lleyton Hewitt, Woodbridge and Arthurs had now gelled into a formidable combination.

"Every tie we play together gets better and better and we combine so well - look at my back-up, I had Lleyton coming behind me so how could I lose.

"It's been a long year and this was our goal."

Woodbridge scotched rumours he was retiring after bettering the mark of 28 ties set by Adrian Quist in the 1930s.

"We're going to win again," he said.

Philippoussis early in the match sprayed shots wide of the lines but still managed to capture the first two sets.

Then his serve and volleys deserted him, as he fell victim to double faults and netted returns.

Ferrero produced a fiery third set, breaking the Australian in the second, fourth and sixth games.

He broke twice again in the fourth to level the scores.

Both players received treatment from trainers before the start of the final set but Philippoussis was worked on intensively as he lay on his back beside the court.

He grimaced noticeably on his return but whipped through the set like a player possessed, allowing Ferrero not one game.

Australian captain John Fitzgerald paid tribute to the passion the players and Australian fans had for Davis Cup.

"It is a country like Spain and a country like Australia who believe in the Davis Cup," Fitzgerald said.

"We believe in our sport and the people involved in it and you don't get matches like that without passion from both sides," he said.

[Newelly]

Thought it was then. Since then the winners have been?

US? Swiss? French? Spanish? Brazilians?

2000 -
2001 -
2002 -

[HAL]

The United States or you and me? Are you from France? Are you saying you are Spanish or you speak Spanish?

[Newelly]

Hola HAL.