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Brian Swartz · 08-04-2017, 08:40 PM

WTC Playoffs

** Bulgaria vs. Sweden -- Who? Bulgaria?? They didn't even appear in the WTC for more than four decades(sound familiar?) and only got up to Level 2 a few years ago. This was their first chance at making the big time, and they smacked Sweden 4-1 to get through! Pretty impressive since they haven't got a single Top 50 singles player, but Sweden doesn't have much either and continues their yo-yo between the first and second tiers. It's always cool to see history being made. Bulgaria, tennis powerhouse? Nah. But still interesting.

** Chile vs. Russia -- Both nations are good enough to be in the top-flight, sporting a pair of Top 50 singles players. Ruslan Strelkov didn't pull his own weight here though, and Chile completes an undefeated year in Level 2 by bouncing the Russians 4-1. Despite a lousy season(4-1 losses in all four competitive ties), they'll be back. Too good not to be with #23 Strelkov and #40 Alenichev. Meanwhile the Chileans end a few years of struggle in their second attempt to get up, mostly due to Ruben Piazzola(17th) starting to really become a force. This isn't quite a Bulgaria story, but it's their first time up here since 2035, 19 years ago.

** Norway vs. Hungary -- Norway has a good player(#28 Olaf Bergman). Hungary doesn't. That's pretty much the story here in a 4-1 decision. Norway was in the bottom tier as recently as 2040, and while they have a long history this is another first-time nation to Level 1. Two in a single year? Incredible!! Meanwhile Hungary is also a great story, as they were looking for their third straight promotion. This is the first time the door has been shut on their meteoric rise. Starting three years ago in '51 at Level 4, they had won 16 consecutive ties until a loss to Chile in the L2 SF, then this setback. That's the life work of Jeno Maitra(64th), the best Hungarian player in about 40 years. He's past his prime though, and it appears they've reached their ceiling.

** Slovak Republic vs. Argentina -- Argentina. The #7 nation in the world suffers the indignity of a relegation playoff ... and promptly skunks the Slovaks 5-nil. The recently defeated gets a long-overdue demotion. The last three years they've won favorable matchups in the playoffs while a set record 2-43 in group play. That's ... not impressive. Argentina meanwhile, was in our group and a surprise loss to Croatia put them here. They're a Top 10, maybe Top 5 nation right now though. They're not going anywhere, as demonstrated.

Slovak Republic, Russia, and Sweden down; Bulgaria, Norway, and Chile up. First two are here for the first time, and Chile brings the rising Piazzola with them. Definitely a more eventful, and historic, playoffs than we normally see.

2053 Final WTC Rankings

1. Sri Lanka -- 2751
2. United States -- 2414
3. Germany -- 2264
4. Spain -- 2193
5. Czech Republic -- 2139
6. France -- 2007
7. Argentina -- 2004
8. Croatia -- 1890
9. Italy -- 1884
10. Ukraine -- 1876

Pretty big gap after Argentina. Our title and an early US loss(SF to Germany) has us back to a massive lead that we don't really have to worry about. While you can no longer say we are clearly the best, we're still one of the best and the most consistent. Neither Kaspar or Fangio have a good-enough sidekick to make their nations major threats, thankfully.

08-04-2017, 08:40 PM	#647
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	WTC Playoffs Bulgaria vs. Sweden -- Who? Bulgaria?? They didn't even appear in the WTC for more than four decades(sound familiar?) and only got up to Level 2 a few years ago. This was their first chance at making the big time, and they smacked Sweden 4-1 to get through! Pretty impressive since they haven't got a single Top 50 singles player, but Sweden doesn't have much either and continues their yo-yo between the first and second tiers. It's always cool to see history being made. Bulgaria, tennis powerhouse? Nah. But still interesting. Chile vs. Russia -- Both nations are good enough to be in the top-flight, sporting a pair of Top 50 singles players. Ruslan Strelkov didn't pull his own weight here though, and Chile completes an undefeated year in Level 2 by bouncing the Russians 4-1. Despite a lousy season(4-1 losses in all four competitive ties), they'll be back. Too good not to be with #23 Strelkov and #40 Alenichev. Meanwhile the Chileans end a few years of struggle in their second attempt to get up, mostly due to Ruben Piazzola(17th) starting to really become a force. This isn't quite a Bulgaria story, but it's their first time up here since 2035, 19 years ago. Norway vs. Hungary -- Norway has a good player(#28 Olaf Bergman). Hungary doesn't. That's pretty much the story here in a 4-1 decision. Norway was in the bottom tier as recently as 2040, and while they have a long history this is another first-time nation to Level 1. Two in a single year? Incredible!! Meanwhile Hungary is also a great story, as they were looking for their third straight promotion. This is the first time the door has been shut on their meteoric rise. Starting three years ago in '51 at Level 4, they had won 16 consecutive ties until a loss to Chile in the L2 SF, then this setback. That's the life work of Jeno Maitra(64th), the best Hungarian player in about 40 years. He's past his prime though, and it appears they've reached their ceiling. Slovak Republic vs. Argentina -- Argentina. The #7 nation in the world suffers the indignity of a relegation playoff ... and promptly skunks the Slovaks 5-nil. The recently defeated gets a long-overdue demotion. The last three years they've won favorable matchups in the playoffs while a set record 2-43 in group play. That's ... not impressive. Argentina meanwhile, was in our group and a surprise loss to Croatia put them here. They're a Top 10, maybe Top 5 nation right now though. They're not going anywhere, as demonstrated. Slovak Republic, Russia, and Sweden down; Bulgaria, Norway, and Chile up. First two are here for the first time, and Chile brings the rising Piazzola with them. Definitely a more eventful, and historic, playoffs than we normally see. 2053 Final WTC Rankings 1. Sri Lanka -- 2751 2. United States -- 2414 3. Germany -- 2264 4. Spain -- 2193 5. Czech Republic -- 2139 6. France -- 2007 7. Argentina -- 2004 8. Croatia -- 1890 9. Italy -- 1884 10. Ukraine -- 1876 Pretty big gap after Argentina. Our title and an early US loss(SF to Germany) has us back to a massive lead that we don't really have to worry about. While you can no longer say we are clearly the best, we're still one of the best and the most consistent. Neither Kaspar or Fangio have a good-enough sidekick to make their nations major threats, thankfully.