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December
World Team Cup Finals
Really the only major attraction of the final month, featuring the United States and Spain on an indoor court. As it turned out, only the first day's contest was close. Johnny Browne defeated Juan de los Santos 6-2, 6-7(2), 3-6, 6-1, 9-7 in an epic finish. And then the Spaniards won the next three straight, rendering that moot. The first world championship for Spain in 15 years.
Final WTC Rankings
1. Sri Lanka -- 2742
2. United States -- 2564
3. Spain -- 2341
4. Argentina -- 2153
5. Czech Republic -- 2151
6. Germany -- 2148
7. Russia -- 2016
8. Italy -- 1973
9. France -- 1971
10. Croatia -- 1955
2056 WTC Preview
Top position isn't under threat yet, but we seem likely to have things narrow more. This is likely to be the first time in over a decade that we fail to win two years in a row. I seriously considered firing Mooljee and going with a new junior, but that'll wait another year for Chiba to be closer to ready to replace him. Either way, our doubles ability is declining and Mooljee is now far over the hill. I figure we have about one chance in three, no better.
Our draw won't help. Group 2 is definitely a group of death. Along with ourselves, there's defending champion Spain(3rd), the Czech Republic(5th), and Russia(7th). That's just ridiculous. Neither of last two is as good as their ranking though; we should have no trouble getting through, but no guarantee of beating the Spaniards for the top spot.
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