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Brian Swartz · 08-03-2016, 04:09 PM

World Team Cup Level 1 Playoffs

** Switzerland(22nd) vs. Denmark(17th) -- Aging Roger Federer(SUI, 14th) has been the standard-bearer for the Swiss in a four-year stretch in Level 1, in which they have won only one tie in group play, and that narrowly. This is their third relegation playoff in that stretch. The Danes were relegated a year ago and are looking to bounce back up after a narrow loss to Japan in the Level 2 final. With their top two players fading as well(30 and 31 years old), they simply don't have the horses and get blanked here 5-0. The Swiss stay up, and Denmark will have to try again next year though their odds are not good.

** China(33rd) vs. Peru(9th) -- Rather embarassing for Peru to even need to play here. China meanwhile is in it's sixth straight year the Level 2, and they were even lower before that. This is their first shot at promoting to the top tier, so for them this is a great opportunity. They needed an easier draw to have a chance though; the Chinese singles players are both in the 70s in ranking. Peru brushes them aside 4-1, another example of the status quo holding.

** Mexico(19th) vs. South Africa(10th) -- Both nations here have one solid singles player(in the 70s), and one not-so-solid. The difference is that Mexico has a top-flite doubles tandem, and that proved to be the difference in a 3-2 win for them. They extend one of the longer streaks in Level 1 to 16 straight years, despite having to deal with relegation playoffs three straight years and four of the last five. South Africa heads back down after just one year at the top, having edged Luxembourg twice last year to get up. I'm not sure where they go from here. The South African #2, Alex Beamer, is 32 and fading fast at 105th. Mqabukonyongolo Nkomo, winner of the longest name award, is their top player and not yet 24, so he's still getting better. I don't know if they'll have anything to put with his efforts though.

** Singapore(38th) vs. Japan(16th) -- Interesting matchup here. Singapore is like us a few years ago ... not as good, but in 2041 they ended a 20-year drought of participation in the WTC, finally getting enough notice to earn a spot in the lowest tier at Level 4. In the next two years they won just a single tie in group play, but stayed in it and earned back-to-back promotions in '43 and '44. '45 wasn't good to them, but his year they made the Level 2 semis, losing badly to Denmark, and earning a shot at the big time. Fueling all of this is Aparna Cansai, their best player by far at 47th in the world. He's basically in his prime right now and won't rise much higher; this could be as good as they get. He was able to take a singles and doubles match against the Japanese, but couldn't beat their top player Ai Sugiyama(31st), and Japan narrowly wins 3-2. It's a big moment for them as well in this matchup of Asian island nations. Japan was in level 3 just three years ago, falling 4-1 to Mexico in a playoff chance last year. This time they have made it, and we'll see what they can do with their chance. Sugiyama is getting better but Shogo Ko, their #2, is on the decline. Promising youngster Hayato Honda(154th, 20 years old) is on the rise and will soon take his spot, perhaps later this year. There could be enough between the two of them to make a competitive Level 1 entrant in a couple years. We shall see.

Japsn is up, South Africa down. One each direction seems to be the usual way of things.

2047 World Team Cup Preview

The four groups are fairly balanced this year. Sri Lanka is in Group 2, one of the tougher ones, along with #3 France, #9 Peru, and #20 Italy. Peru can be hazardous on clay and the Italians are far better than 20th in the world with Mugur Kinczllers a Top 10 mainstay the last couple of years and 19th-ranked Tobia Alberti also still near the peak of his powers. We should come through this group as the winners but none of the matchups will be completely without danger.

2047 National Rankings

1. Sri Lanka -- 2539
2. United States -- 2479
3. France -- 2172
4. Spain -- 2159
5. Argentina -- 2087
6. Czech Republic -- 2052
7. Germany -- 2031
8. Russia -- 2002
9. Peru -- 1941
10. Sweden -- 1837
10. South Africa -- 1837

It's just us and the USA at the top as we embark on an attempt to win our third straight World Championship. A packed group trails the two of us, but at a considerable distance.

08-03-2016, 04:09 PM	#455
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	World Team Cup Level 1 Playoffs Switzerland(22nd) vs. Denmark(17th) -- Aging Roger Federer(SUI, 14th) has been the standard-bearer for the Swiss in a four-year stretch in Level 1, in which they have won only one tie in group play, and that narrowly. This is their third relegation playoff in that stretch. The Danes were relegated a year ago and are looking to bounce back up after a narrow loss to Japan in the Level 2 final. With their top two players fading as well(30 and 31 years old), they simply don't have the horses and get blanked here 5-0. The Swiss stay up, and Denmark will have to try again next year though their odds are not good. China(33rd) vs. Peru(9th) -- Rather embarassing for Peru to even need to play here. China meanwhile is in it's sixth straight year the Level 2, and they were even lower before that. This is their first shot at promoting to the top tier, so for them this is a great opportunity. They needed an easier draw to have a chance though; the Chinese singles players are both in the 70s in ranking. Peru brushes them aside 4-1, another example of the status quo holding. Mexico(19th) vs. South Africa(10th) -- Both nations here have one solid singles player(in the 70s), and one not-so-solid. The difference is that Mexico has a top-flite doubles tandem, and that proved to be the difference in a 3-2 win for them. They extend one of the longer streaks in Level 1 to 16 straight years, despite having to deal with relegation playoffs three straight years and four of the last five. South Africa heads back down after just one year at the top, having edged Luxembourg twice last year to get up. I'm not sure where they go from here. The South African #2, Alex Beamer, is 32 and fading fast at 105th. Mqabukonyongolo Nkomo, winner of the longest name award, is their top player and not yet 24, so he's still getting better. I don't know if they'll have anything to put with his efforts though. Singapore(38th) vs. Japan(16th) -- Interesting matchup here. Singapore is like us a few years ago ... not as good, but in 2041 they ended a 20-year drought of participation in the WTC, finally getting enough notice to earn a spot in the lowest tier at Level 4. In the next two years they won just a single tie in group play, but stayed in it and earned back-to-back promotions in '43 and '44. '45 wasn't good to them, but his year they made the Level 2 semis, losing badly to Denmark, and earning a shot at the big time. Fueling all of this is Aparna Cansai, their best player by far at 47th in the world. He's basically in his prime right now and won't rise much higher; this could be as good as they get. He was able to take a singles and doubles match against the Japanese, but couldn't beat their top player Ai Sugiyama(31st), and Japan narrowly wins 3-2. It's a big moment for them as well in this matchup of Asian island nations. Japan was in level 3 just three years ago, falling 4-1 to Mexico in a playoff chance last year. This time they have made it, and we'll see what they can do with their chance. Sugiyama is getting better but Shogo Ko, their #2, is on the decline. Promising youngster Hayato Honda(154th, 20 years old) is on the rise and will soon take his spot, perhaps later this year. There could be enough between the two of them to make a competitive Level 1 entrant in a couple years. We shall see. Japsn is up, South Africa down. One each direction seems to be the usual way of things. 2047 World Team Cup Preview The four groups are fairly balanced this year. Sri Lanka is in Group 2, one of the tougher ones, along with #3 France, #9 Peru, and #20 Italy. Peru can be hazardous on clay and the Italians are far better than 20th in the world with Mugur Kinczllers a Top 10 mainstay the last couple of years and 19th-ranked Tobia Alberti also still near the peak of his powers. We should come through this group as the winners but none of the matchups will be completely without danger. 2047 National Rankings 1. Sri Lanka -- 2539 2. United States -- 2479 3. France -- 2172 4. Spain -- 2159 5. Argentina -- 2087 6. Czech Republic -- 2052 7. Germany -- 2031 8. Russia -- 2002 9. Peru -- 1941 10. Sweden -- 1837 10. South Africa -- 1837 It's just us and the USA at the top as we embark on an attempt to win our third straight World Championship. A packed group trails the two of us, but at a considerable distance. Last edited by Brian Swartz : 08-03-2016 at 04:09 PM.