Davis Cup 1st Round - Aus v Swiss, Geneva

The 2006 Davis Cup commenced on Feb 10, 2006 for the Australian team with a tough assignment against Switzerland on clay in Geneva. The withdrawals of draw cards Hewitt and Federer, many thought this clash would lack passion and tension. How wrong they could be.

Most of the 75 odd on this tour arrived into a chilly Geneva on Thursday night 9 Feb with sleet falling and most of the locals in bed. With the traditional distribution of tour shirts and other merchandise under way along with a few pints of the local 'Fieldschlossen' the tour was underway. Team Captain Fitzy made it to the pub for a few as well and gave a stirring speech to all. Fitzy really believed that we could win this tie, and convinced any of the doubters that this tie was to be ours.

Friday started with a group photo by Lake Geneva, and tour leader Woz showing us all how to negotiate the Geneva train system with ease. A cozy 6000 Seat Arena greeted us with Aussie # 1 Peter Luczak against Michael Lammer first up. Peter was very nervous early on and it showed with him only taking one game in the first set. Once Fitzy settled him down and the Fanatics got in full voice, he played some great clay court tennis against a lackluster opponent. 'The new pistol Pete' came back and won the next 3 to give us the first rubber.

Chris Guccione followed next against highly fancied Swiss # 1 Stanley Wawrinka. 'The Gucc' was outclassed by a top-50 player and went down in straight sets to level the tie after Day 1. Our voices were starting to show signs of wear and tear trying to cheer above the noise of the 20-piece Swiss (Queer!) band stationed right next to us for the entire 3 days.

After some relaxing beers back our local, (Mr Pickwicks pub) most found their way in a good state to Day 2 - the decisive doubles rubber. The Swiss threw in a late change by playing the in-form Wawrinka instead of journeyman Bastl to partner Allegro. The Aussie combination of Arthurs and Davis Cup debutant Paul Hanley were settled and had the best of the match winning in 4 close sets. The Swiss crowd never got into the game due to the great tennis played by both Arthurs and especially Hanley, which allowed the 75 of us to generate some noise that could be heard by the players. Both players thrived off the support and we ended the day with just 1 more rubber to clinch the tie.

Saturday night was group dinner night with all tour members going to great lengths to look their finest in a pleasant restaurant/bar, where the highlight was no doubt the 5 or 10 litre 'tanks' of beer that could be ordered. Most of the guys obliged and a large number of these tanks were consumed in a short space of time. A quick hunt around the streets by the recently haircut Treggas failed to find any bars of note, hence most of the group trekked the old town and found a random dodgy Irish bar to fill until close. Memorable for having only 1 beer tap and being run by drunk American exchange students and a guy with no voice.

Sunday was a later start (appreciated by a few who danced the night and morning away) with the opposing number 1’s squaring off. Pete tried his best but again Wawrinka showed his class and won in another 4 setter. This set up a final rubber showdown between Chris Guccione and Georg Bastl, a late replacement for Michel Lammer. What was to follow was one of the best serving performances in Davis Cup history from ‘The Guuc’, or Graham, as he was becoming known. 38 Aces in a straight sets demolition of the Swiss veteran, with the crowd stunned and the Fanatics in full voice and spurring Chris on. A thundering serve of 248 km/h had everyone talking about anew world record but alas it was just short of Roddick’s 249 km/h serve. The fantastic win capped off a great tie with the underdog Aussies 3-2 Victors. The Guuc was on fire!

Celebrations went into full swing at our local and it was great to see most of the players, along with Fitzy and Tennis Australia Geoff Pollard making an appearance, signing autographs and sinking a few beers with the Aussie supporters. The highlight of the night was a close call – between Geoff Pollard on stage doing the YMCA, or Disco and Kylie performing their own version of Stevie Wonder’s , ‘I just called to say I love you’ on karaoke.

A top weekend with a great bunch of guys and girls and an Aussie win – what more could we ask for?

NO LLEYTON – NO WORRIES