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Brian Swartz · 08-02-2018, 02:47 AM

You're very welcome - glad you've enjoyed it(and joined the game as well)!

Final 2060 Nation Rankings

1. Sri Lanka - 2603
2. France - 2550
3. United States - 2321
4. Argentina - 2154
5. Spain - 1939
6. Croatia - 1934
7. Chile - 1915
8. Italy - 1911
9. Sweden - 1902
10. Thailand - 1896

France went on to close out a humiliating 5-0 skunking of us in the WTC Final; Chiba won another set against M. Kaspar, while Dudwadkar endured a second straight close 3-set loss. More evidence that he's no longer our best player, and I can't remember the last time we were shut out. We do retain the top spot, as we have for about 15 years now. It's an unprecedented run that is about to come to an end. Hard to envisage a scenario in which France does not take the top spot from us next year. It's a short-term sacrifice made to usher in a final run that will probably, and hopefully, be our most dominant stretch yet. Also, France is just that good right now thanks to House Kaspar.

Next year, we're in Group 4 along with Italy(8th), Morocco(15th), and Mexico(17th). On paper that's a cake draw. Italy made the SF this past year(losing to France), but both of their top players are declining and only #8 Gilberto Chinaglia is even worth being worried about. Morocco of course boast the best player in the world on paper(but not on the court, sadly) in #4 Hamal Sbai … but they were relegated to having to survive in a playoff. That's basically because Sbai has no help; they lost all their group ties 3-2. Mexico has the aging #15 Cristian Castelgali and that's about it there. It shouldn't be any problem getting through unscathed, even with the retirement from active play of Mehul crippling what semblance of a doubles presence we had.

WTC Playoffs

Speaking of the playoffs, here's how the matchups shook out:

** Russia(16th) 4, Germany(12th) 1. This was a trend this year; the higher-ranking paper tiger going down to the superior lower-ranking nation. No household names for the Russians, but they do have a pair of Top-50 singles players. The Germans no longer have any. They promoted up from Level 2 last year but now they go right back down, with no tie closer than 4-1. They really didn't compete.

** Morocco(15th) 4, China(35th) 1. China did very well to get here; two years ago they were a Level 3 nation. It was a big mismatch, and they really have no realistic aim of being in the top level.

** Thailand(10th) 4, Netherlands(23rd) 1. It's been two years since the Netherlands won a Level 1 tie. Last year they escaped relegation at Finland's expense. No such luck this season, and an overdue breakthrough for Thailand after narrow 3-2 defeats in promotion attempts against Finland and Mexico the past two years. #21 Chalerm Prachuab is known already, and #45 Nintau Ariyanuntaka is on the rise as well. My guess is they stay up for the next few years and continue to gradually improve their status.

** India(11th) 5, Sweden(9th) 0. Bad luck for Sweden, who lost by the same score to the same nation in both the Level 2 semis and the playoff. They'll probably be back for another attempt at getting up next year. 11th-ranked Brian Meikeljohn powers the India effort in both singles and doubles, able to get them by most nations almost singlehandedly. But then there's Satyajit Gavaskar, just recently turned 22, and also just recently into the Top 50. It looks like they, similarly to Thailand, are primed for an extended stay in the top tier. Both nations will very much bear watching.

08-02-2018, 02:47 AM	#837
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	You're very welcome - glad you've enjoyed it(and joined the game as well)! Final 2060 Nation Rankings 1. Sri Lanka - 2603 2. France - 2550 3. United States - 2321 4. Argentina - 2154 5. Spain - 1939 6. Croatia - 1934 7. Chile - 1915 8. Italy - 1911 9. Sweden - 1902 10. Thailand - 1896 France went on to close out a humiliating 5-0 skunking of us in the WTC Final; Chiba won another set against M. Kaspar, while Dudwadkar endured a second straight close 3-set loss. More evidence that he's no longer our best player, and I can't remember the last time we were shut out. We do retain the top spot, as we have for about 15 years now. It's an unprecedented run that is about to come to an end. Hard to envisage a scenario in which France does not take the top spot from us next year. It's a short-term sacrifice made to usher in a final run that will probably, and hopefully, be our most dominant stretch yet. Also, France is just that good right now thanks to House Kaspar. Next year, we're in Group 4 along with Italy(8th), Morocco(15th), and Mexico(17th). On paper that's a cake draw. Italy made the SF this past year(losing to France), but both of their top players are declining and only #8 Gilberto Chinaglia is even worth being worried about. Morocco of course boast the best player in the world on paper(but not on the court, sadly) in #4 Hamal Sbai … but they were relegated to having to survive in a playoff. That's basically because Sbai has no help; they lost all their group ties 3-2. Mexico has the aging #15 Cristian Castelgali and that's about it there. It shouldn't be any problem getting through unscathed, even with the retirement from active play of Mehul crippling what semblance of a doubles presence we had. WTC Playoffs Speaking of the playoffs, here's how the matchups shook out: Russia(16th) 4, Germany(12th) 1. This was a trend this year; the higher-ranking paper tiger going down to the superior lower-ranking nation. No household names for the Russians, but they do have a pair of Top-50 singles players. The Germans no longer have any. They promoted up from Level 2 last year but now they go right back down, with no tie closer than 4-1. They really didn't compete. Morocco(15th) 4, China(35th) 1. China did very well to get here; two years ago they were a Level 3 nation. It was a big mismatch, and they really have no realistic aim of being in the top level. Thailand(10th) 4, Netherlands(23rd) 1. It's been two years since the Netherlands won a Level 1 tie. Last year they escaped relegation at Finland's expense. No such luck this season, and an overdue breakthrough for Thailand after narrow 3-2 defeats in promotion attempts against Finland and Mexico the past two years. #21 Chalerm Prachuab is known already, and #45 Nintau Ariyanuntaka is on the rise as well. My guess is they stay up for the next few years and continue to gradually improve their status. India(11th) 5, Sweden(9th) 0. Bad luck for Sweden, who lost by the same score to the same nation in both the Level 2 semis and the playoff. They'll probably be back for another attempt at getting up next year. 11th-ranked Brian Meikeljohn powers the India effort in both singles and doubles, able to get them by most nations almost singlehandedly. But then there's Satyajit Gavaskar, just recently turned 22, and also just recently into the Top 50. It looks like they, similarly to Thailand, are primed for an extended stay in the top tier. Both nations will very much bear watching. Last edited by Brian Swartz : 08-02-2018 at 02:48 AM.