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Rosset expected to take up Swiss challenge in Davis Cup
Melbourne, Sep 14: Veteran coach Marc Rosset could appoint himself to play doubles for Switzerland as the visiting underdogs aim for an upset against Australia at next week`s Davis Cup semi-final.
Melbourne, Sep 14: Veteran coach Marc Rosset could appoint himself to play doubles for Switzerland as the visiting underdogs aim for an upset against Australia at next week's Davis Cup semi-final.
The 33-year-old, a 1992 Olympic champion whose singles career on the ATP has all but wound down with a number 130 ranking, remains a possibility for the Saturday doubles clash alongside do-it-all Wimbledon winner Roger Federer.
Switzerland must count heavily on world number 3 Federer to fulfil the long-odds victory dream at Melbourne Park in a tie starting Friday.
Backing up the top man are a cast of lower-ranking players from which Rosset must choose before Thursday's draw in a tie which will go down in the record books one way or another for the European nation.
''We'll choose depending on who's better in practice,'' said Rosset. ''I have different options, there's no need to rush,'' he said at the weekend as the visitors practised in chilly Melbourne. ''This would be a big opportunity to write a page in Swiss tennis history.''
Current front-runner for backing up Federer is Michel Kratochvil despite a singles ranking which has tumbled out of the top 200 due to a knee injury which required spring surgery.
A wildcard singles option could be teenaged Stanislas Wawrinka, the French Open junior champion whose ranking has risen to 164th. Others in the pool: George Bastl and Ivo Heuberger.
Kratochvil's optimism remains strong. ''We've been outsiders for our two ties this year in France and in Holland. We're outsiders - but we came to win,'' he said.
Federer, who has won his last 26 sets in Davis play, will have to raise his level at Melbourne Park, site of the Australian Open, where he has never gotten past the fourth round.
''I've never made a big breakthrough like I did in Wimbledon,'' said the reigning grand slam champion on grass. ''But I enjoy playing on rebound ace. I've missed opportunities but I can still play well on this surface.''
Federer beat Mark Philippoussis for his Wimbledon title two months ago and will run into the big-hitting Aussie again.
Both Philippoussis and Lleyton Hewitt are getting over injury niggles from the U.S. Open, with Hewitt arriving in Melbourne and getting in his first practise session at the weekend.
Bureau Report
The 33-year-old, a 1992 Olympic champion whose singles career on the ATP has all but wound down with a number 130 ranking, remains a possibility for the Saturday doubles clash alongside do-it-all Wimbledon winner Roger Federer.
Switzerland must count heavily on world number 3 Federer to fulfil the long-odds victory dream at Melbourne Park in a tie starting Friday.
Backing up the top man are a cast of lower-ranking players from which Rosset must choose before Thursday's draw in a tie which will go down in the record books one way or another for the European nation.
''We'll choose depending on who's better in practice,'' said Rosset. ''I have different options, there's no need to rush,'' he said at the weekend as the visitors practised in chilly Melbourne. ''This would be a big opportunity to write a page in Swiss tennis history.''
Current front-runner for backing up Federer is Michel Kratochvil despite a singles ranking which has tumbled out of the top 200 due to a knee injury which required spring surgery.
A wildcard singles option could be teenaged Stanislas Wawrinka, the French Open junior champion whose ranking has risen to 164th. Others in the pool: George Bastl and Ivo Heuberger.
Kratochvil's optimism remains strong. ''We've been outsiders for our two ties this year in France and in Holland. We're outsiders - but we came to win,'' he said.
Federer, who has won his last 26 sets in Davis play, will have to raise his level at Melbourne Park, site of the Australian Open, where he has never gotten past the fourth round.
''I've never made a big breakthrough like I did in Wimbledon,'' said the reigning grand slam champion on grass. ''But I enjoy playing on rebound ace. I've missed opportunities but I can still play well on this surface.''
Federer beat Mark Philippoussis for his Wimbledon title two months ago and will run into the big-hitting Aussie again.
Both Philippoussis and Lleyton Hewitt are getting over injury niggles from the U.S. Open, with Hewitt arriving in Melbourne and getting in his first practise session at the weekend.
Bureau Report