The members of the Press Commission were gathered at the FIVB headquarters in Lausanne to ensure the International Volleyball Federation remains ahead of the curve in the world of sport.
The meeting began with a review of actions taken in 2015 following last year’s commission meeting, including a focus on video highlights, the use of social media and editorial coverage of the FIVB’s competitions.
FIVB President Dr Ary Graca magnified the role of media as a big engine for the continuous progress of volleyball as beloved sport all over the world. Even media is included in the major items in the FIVB 9 Goals Project presented to the commission.
International Volleyball Federation, (FIVB) President Dr Ary Graca Magnifies the role of the media in Volleyball development
“I’m happy to have a stimulating discussion about the role of the press in today’s world,” explained FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° during his opening address. “We face many challenges and the Press Commission has to understand what is happening now in the world of the media. We must look at ways to stimulate the audience. After all the greater innovations and changes we have made in the past three years, we have a great chance to promote volleyball even more, especially with such an iconic Olympic Games coming up in Brazil.
“We have to look to the future. When you’re driving a car you have to look forward. We have made progress, we are good, but we must strive to be excellent.”
The members of the commission heard a report on the FIVB’s key activities. A presentation of the FIVB 9 Goals Project detailed the federation’s long term strategic plan, which was developed to help direct the future work of the FIVB and ensure it realises the sport’s huge global potential. Discussion also turned around the Volleyball Your Way campaign, which aims to get everyone, at every level, to play volleyball.
Looking ahead to 2016, further improvements to the website were presented and social media statistics discussed. Media operations and accreditation issues were also examined. The meeting was completed with reports from the confederation press officers and a discussion focusing on social media, video, match highlights, the effective use of content and event promotion.
Swiss Olympian Max Hauri, who competed at the Games in Tokyo 1964 and Munich 1972, has passed away at his home in Seon (SUI), following a recent fall. He was 74.
On his first Olympic outing in Tokyo he finished 10th individually with Millview, just one fault behind Italy’s multiple Olympic medal winner Piero d’Inzeo. In Munich eight years later, he rode Haiti on the Swiss Jumping team that finished fifth, and was a member of the sixth-placed Eventing team with Red Baron.
Swiss Jumping champion from 1960, he competed on more than 50 FEI Nations Cup™ teams for Switzerland. But he was far more than just a top athlete, he was also a highly respected trainer and was brilliant at talent-spotting horses that could make their mark at the highest level of the sport.
Max Hauri built his father’s cattle and horse trading operation up to become one of the leading competition and trade stables. His two sons Markus and Thomas, both international riders in their own right, took over running this successful business following their father’s injury in a riding accident two years ago.
Max Hauri discovered countless top horses on his regular buying trips to Ireland, including two of Rodrigo Pessoa’s top rides, Special Envoy and Tomboy, and Vivaldi, the horse that Nelson Pessoa rode on the Brazilian team at the first FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Stockholm (SWE).
He also found the wonderful little chestnut mare Jessica for his sister, Heidi Robbiani. The pair went on to take individual bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where the Swiss team finished fifth.
Max Hauri also took numerous Irish riders under his wing, including Peter Leonard, Eddie Moloney, Noel Barry, Padraig McCarthy among many.
He also had a military career and was a captain in the Swiss cavalry squadron. On 5 December 1972 the Swiss National Council approved the controversial abolition of the cavalry regiment. Max Hauri, long-time commander of the squadron, initiated a commemoration which continues today at civilian and military events.
Swiss Olympic Jumping rider Max Hauri passed away this week at the age of 74.
“Max was a Swiss Olympian, an officer and a gentleman, a horseman through and through who competed at the highest level throughout his life”, FEI Director of Jumping John Roche said. “He had an incredible eye for a horse which he demonstrated time and time again by the amazing horses that passed through his hands, such as Jessica, Special Envoy, Tomboy and Vivaldi. His presence will be greatly missed by us all.”
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Max Hauri’s family, many friends, the Swiss National Federation and the global Jumping and Eventing community.
In a decision released on 16 November 2015, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the highest judicial authority for sport in the world, dismissed an appeal against the re-election of Olegario Vázquez Raña as President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
In a decision released on 16 November 2015, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the highest judicial authority for sport in the world, dismissed an appeal against the re-election of Olegario Vázquez Raña as President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) on 3 December 2014. The appeal was filed by the Kuwait Shooting Federation and former ISSF Vice President Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah, who was also a candidate for ISSF President. Their appeal asked the court to cancel the election. The court rejected the arguments brought forward by the appellants and confirmed the validity of Mr. Vazquez Raña’s election as ISSF President.
“I am very satisfied with the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This decision clearly vindicates us from the accusations made by my opponent in the ISSF elections, who did not agree with a democratic and constitutionally valid ISSF election process,” said Vázquez Raña after CAS announced its ruling. “I wish to express my gratitude to the ISSF family for electing me and for their support throughout all of my presidency.”
Vázquez Raña was elected to the highest post of the world governing body of the shooting sport when he received 165 votes against 128 for his opponent, Kuwaiti Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah, whose Ministry in Kuwait sent several letters to sports leaders in various nations in an attempt to influence their vote and take advantage of his position as Minister of Information and Youth Affairs in Kuwait.
CAS dismisses an appeal against the re-election of Olegario Vazquez Raña as ISSF President
After the ruling by CAS, Olegario Vázquez Raña stated, “It is now time for the entire shooting sport family to unite for the benefit of the sport and our athletes. Together, we can help our sport continue to grow in popularity and develop around the world. Furthermore, we have a major contribution to make in helping IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach achieve his vision under Olympic Agenda 2020.”
The Mexican businessman, who had an outstanding career as an athlete and participated in four Olympic Games from 1964 through 1976, said, “now that this appeal against our elections has been dismissed, it is time for all members of the ISSF family to come together in our common cause to promote the shooting sport and its athletes, and to unite behind our common values of sport for all, inclusivity and respect for the human right to practice sport.”
Following the recent scandal that as engulfed World Football governing body FIFA, suspended president Joseph Sepp Blatter has been remanded is hospital due to “stress related illness”
Blatter was admitted to hospital last week, but it appears that he intends to fight his 90 day suspension by the FIFA Ethics Committee, His lawyer was quoted as saying that Blatter “said to me yesterday ‘I was elected president by the 209 members of the Congress and no commission can put me out of the game”.
CAF President Issa Hayatou has been acting in Blatter’s place and An extraordinary FIFA Congress will be held in Zürich, Switzerland, on February 26, 2016, in order to elect the successor to Sepp Blatter, and seven candidates namely Jérôme Champagne, Tokyo Sexwale, Prince Ali bin Hussein, Musa Bility, Michel Platini, Gianni Infantino and Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, have all been cleared to contest for the top job at FIFA.
It remains to be seen how Blatter intends to reclaim hi lost seat.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach commented favourably today on the high level of compliance in equestrian sport with the 40 recommendations in Olympic Agenda 2020 during an official visit to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), the Olympic capital.
“Olympic Agenda 2020 is the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement and it is impressive to see how compliant the FEI and equestrian sport already are with many of the recommendations”, President Bach said. “We have targeted gender equality as a key goal of Agenda 2020 and equestrian sport has always been at the forefront on this, with men and women competing against each other for the medals.”
“Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since 1912 and the growth of the sport has been phenomenal, but it is good to know that the FEI was already working on a number of these areas, including good governance and a full review of the competition formats, even before we rolled out Agenda 2020. The sport touches many cultures and people of all ages and I have great admiration for what equestrian athletes achieve through the unique relationship between horse and rider, it’s truly awe-inspiring.”
During a presentation to the IOC President, FEI President Ingmar De Vos stressed how the FEI and equestrian sport are proactively embracing Olympic Agenda 2020. “We see it as an invitation to continue on the path we are already on to grow and develop the sport, a launch pad to further improve our sport and make it relevant in the modern sporting climate. We are confident that we tick many of the Agenda 2020 boxes, and we’re working hard to add the tick to the missing ones. We are pushing the boundaries, while respecting the traditions of our sport.”
Ingmar De Vos explained how the ongoing review of the competition formats, in full consultation with the member National Federations, athletes and stakeholders, is aimed at making equestrian sport more dynamic, easier to understand, and accessible for a wider fan base and for youth audiences. Sport presentation is also key and the FEI is continuing to work on development and further expansion of broadcast coverage of equestrian events.
President Bach, German team gold medallist in fencing at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, also met with three fellow Olympians – China’s youngest Olympic Eventer Alex Hua Tian, German Dressage rider Kristina Bröring-Sprehe, team silver medalist at London 2012, and Brazilian Jumping athlete Pedro Veniss, who is bidding to make a return to the Olympic stage on home soil in Rio. And there was a surprise equine athlete, the Spanish stallion Sarango, who greeted Thomas Bach and the athletes during the visit to FEI HQ.
President Bach and the IOC delegation met with FEI President Ingmar De Vos and FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender on the date marking 275 days to go to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The IOC delegation also included Director General Christophe de Kepper, Pierre Fratter-Bardy, Head of Summer Sports, and Mark Adams, Director of Communications.
FEI 1st Vice President and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee John Madden, FEI Executive Board member and Chair of the FEI Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman, and Giuseppe Della Chiesa, Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee were also part of the FEI delegation that met the IOC President.
Straight from the horse’s mouth: International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was greeted at Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Headquarters by the stallion Sarango after meetings with an FEI delegation headed by President Ingmar De Vos and Secretary General Sabrina Zeender. Also pictured are Eventing athlete Alex Hua Tian (CHN) and German Dressage athlete Kristina Bröring-Sprehe. Brazilian Jumping athlete Pedro Veniss (out of shot) also met with the IOC President. (Liz Gregg/FEI)
“Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where men and women compete against each other for medals in all the disciplines,” Kristina Bröring-Sprehe said. “It’s only when you get a bit older that you realise just how special this is, and it’s one of the many reasons why equestrian sport is so popular with women of all ages. Knowing how important gender equality is to the Olympic movement, it’s been really empowering to talk to Thomas Bach about this today.”
“Eventing is my real passion”, said Alex Hua Tian, the man who carried the hopes of 1.2 billion Chinese at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. “It’s not just a sport, but a way of life, and we have a unique partnership with our horses where big decisions have to be made, communicated and executed in a heartbeat. Trust, courage and precision is what our sport is all about, as well as building on joint strengths, and forgiving and compensating for each other’s weaknesses. We have a very deep relationships with our horses, and it has been fascinating to discuss this with the IOC President today.”
“Brazil is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world and, just like the equestrian community, the Brazilian people are vibrant and welcoming”, said Pedro Veniss, who was part of the Brazilian Jumping team at the 2008 Olympic Games. “Our melting pot of cultures in Brazil and in our sport is very exciting. As a Brazilian equestrian athlete, I am so proud that we are staging the first Games in South America and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
“The Rio 2016 Olympic Games is now just around the corner, and it has been a huge pleasure for us all at FEI HQ and our equestrian ‘family’ to have IOC President Thomas Bach with us today,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “We are looking forward to seeing our top athletes, both human and equine, displaying their unique talents to all those who are lucky enough to get to Rio and see the action in person, as well as all those watching from home. The Games will be incredible.”
#RoadToRio
The Rio 2016 Olympic equestrian action gets underway on 6 August at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest Rio 2016 Games cluster.
Two hundred of the world’s best human and equine athletes will compete for medals in the Olympic disciplines of Eventing, Dressage and Jumping over 12 days of intense competition.
Uchimura vs. Verniaiev: the duel is on
Nobody has been able to touch Japan’s Kohei Uchimura in the individual All-around since the 2009 London World Championships, so it’s not surprising that the five-time World and reigning Olympic champion exited the preliminary round in Glasgow as top qualifier, in spite of a fall on Floor Exercise.
But nobody in a World qualification has ever come as close to Uchimura’s score as Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) did Monday. The difference between the two, a mere 0.433, is made more interesting because like Uchimura, Verniaiev made mistakes on Floor. Having already won the European Championships, European Games and World University Games this year, Verniaiev can permit himself to dream of becoming the first gymnast to dethrone “King” Kohei in Friday’s individual All-around final.
Japan at the summit, China trailing behind
Led by Uchimura and promising newcomer Kazuma Kaya, the Japanese men qualified to the team final in first place, nearly two points ahead of their Chinese rivals. But only three scores will count on each apparatus in Wednesday’s final, as compared to four in qualifications. Expect a tight battle between the Japanese team, which has not won team gold at Worlds since 1978, and the Chinese, who have carried off every title except one since 1994.
Oleg Verniaiev
Eight nations book tickets to Rio…
Besides Japan and China, Great Britain, Russia, the USA, Switzerland, Brazil and South Korea will fight it out in the team final. These eight teams have also earned the first five-person team berths for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. That’s huge for host country Brazil, which will attend the Games with a Men’s Gymnastics team for the first time in history. Switzerland, which gave a dazzling performance to finish with nearly the same total as the United States, will make its first trip to the Games since 1992.
…while the chase continues for eight others
In spite of the best efforts of stars Marcel Nguyen and Fabian Hambuechen, Germany is headed to the Pre-Olympic Test Event in Rio April 16-19, where it hopes to win itself a team berth to next summer’s Games. France, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Spain, Romania, Canada and Belarus will also contend for one of the four team berths up for grabs there.
In the shadow of Uchimura
While Verniaiev has positioned himself as the only gymnast likely to rival Uchimura in the Men’s All-around final, American Danell Leyva, China’s Deng Shudi and Xiao Ruoteng, Britain’s Daniel Purvis, 2014 World All-around silver medallist Max Whitlock and possibly Russia’s David Belyavskiy could also contend for the podium. After his silver medal performance at this summer’s Pan American Games, Manrique Larduet of Cuba is also one to watch as he continues an impressive World Championships debut.
Hard times for Olympic champions
Three years after their golden performances in London, Epke Zonderland (NED), Arthur Zanetti (BRA) and Krisztian Berki (HUN) all got lost in the crowd in Glasgow and failed to make event finals. Berki, the three-time World champion on Pommel Horse, loses the most because he was relying on a medal to qualify to Rio and now has little hope of getting to the Games. Zonderland made an error on his High Bar dismount and won’t compete in finals, but will get a second shot at Olympic qualification with the Dutch men at April’s Test Event. The scores on Rings were tight, and Zanetti, who gave the best performance of the London event gold medallists, was simply the odd man out. He’s still the luckiest of the three, though, since Brazil has now qualified for Rio.
The International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) Disciplinary Commission has issued warnings to seven Artistic Gymnastics judges for scoring irregularities during the 2014 World Championships in Nanning (CHN).
As it does after every World Gymnastics Championships, following the 2014 World Artistic Championships in China, the FIG performed a deep analysis of the scores given by each judge in order to assure that the results were in compatibility with the current code of points.
This judges evaluation system rests notably on a sophisticated statistical analysis, which allows for the rapid detection of scoring deviations linked to various parameters, and on the comparison of scores from those obtained by a jury of experts following a video review of routines.
This analysis permits the FIG to recognise the excellent work accomplished by the vast majority of judges at the Nanning World Championships. However, some of the scores given by 14 judges appeared biased or unsatisfactory, which led the FIG to open disciplinary proceedings against them.
After hearings held in September at FIG Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), the Disciplinary Commission dismissed seven of the cases. The seven remaining judges — five from Men’s Artistic Gymnastics and two from Women’s Artistic — received warnings, urging them to “pay closer attention” in future competitions.
Following notification of their sanctions, each judge has 21 days to appeal.
Knowing that the results in Gymnastics are based on human judgement, the International Gymnastics Federation has strengthened both its judges training program and scoring analysis system in order to assure that judges meet the level of excellence required of them at international competitions.
The FEI is to form a working group to thoroughly review Annex XIII of the Dressage Stewards Manual, which deals with training methods. The composition of the working group has not yet been finalised, but it will include representatives from the International Dressage Riders Club and the International Dressage Trainers Club, the FEI Steward General representing the International Dressage Officials Club, a veterinary expert, and a representative of the FEI Dressage Committee.
The decision came at an all-day meeting of the Dressage Committee and stakeholders, held in FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) today. It was agreed that the group would aim to finalise its conclusions in the coming months for presentation to the FEI Bureau for approval.
Ingmar De Vos, FEI President (FEI/Germain Arias-Schreiber)
FEI President Ingmar De Vos welcomed representatives from the Dressage stakeholders Clubs and the European Equestrian Federation to today’s session, which was chaired by FEI Dressage Committee Chair Frank Kemperman.
Stewarding, including the monitoring of pre-competition training techniques, education, support and respect for officials, competition formats, and judging were all debated at length.
Dressage Committee members were also in attendance – Deputy Chair Thomas Baur (GER), Maribel Alonso (MEX), Luis Lucio (ESP) and Athlete Representative Anna Paprocka-Campanella (ITA). Dressage Judge General Stephen Clarke, who is also President of the International Dressage Officials Club (IDOC), and Steward General Jacques van Daele joined the meeting via teleconference. Carina Mayer, who has taken on the role of Head of the Dressage Department ad interim, also played an active role in the session.
The Association of International Dressage Event Organisers (AIDEO) was represented by its Secretary General Federico Padron and German member Klaus Roeser. The IDOC was represented by Club secretary Olivier Smeets.
David Hunt, President of the International Dressage Trainers Club (IDTC), represented the Judges Supervisory Panel, while the IDTC was represented by Linda Keenan and Board Member Sjef Jansen. International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) representatives at the session were the Club’s President Kyra Kyrklund and Secretary General Wayne Channon.
Hanfried Haring, President of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) and the Vice President Ulf Helgstrand were also at the session. Dressage analytics expert David Stickland joined the discussion on judging.
“This was a very constructive meeting”, Frank Kemperman said, “and there was a lot of solid debate and interesting proposals about stewarding and judging. It was very good to reach agreement on the formation of a working group to review and, if necessary, revise Annex XIII of the Dressage Stewards Manual.”
The FEI President was also extremely positive about the meeting. “We had some very good open and frank discussions which resulted in great input from the stakeholders today, especially on the proposal to introduce new formats in the sport for future Olympic Games and FEI Championships”, Ingmar De Vos said.
The FEI Dressage Committee will continue discussions on these topics at its in-person meeting this week with the potential for additions to proposals that will be put forward to next month’s FEI General Assembly in Puerto Rico.
Fritz O. Widmer (SUI), former FEI Secretary General and Treasurer, and longstanding Vice President of the Swiss National Federation’s Competition Department, has passed away after a long illness. He was 93.
Widmer had considerable influence in the development of equestrian sport in Switzerland and worldwide. An accomplished rider, he competed internationally in Dressage and Jumping until 1960, and also competed in all three Olympic disciplines at national level. He served as an FEI Jumping Judge and judged Dressage nationally up to Grand Prix level.
During his 14 years of service at the Swiss National Federation, Widmer was instrumental in drafting the Jumping Rules, as well as the development of the license system.
He became FEI Secretary General in 1976, serving under the presidency of HRH Prince Philip, the FEI’s longest serving President. Widmer contributed enormously to the modernisation and business development of the FEI, transferring it from its traditional Brussels headquarters to Bern in Switzerland, forming a secure financial base and solid foundation for its current structure.
Fritz O. Widmer
Widmer priortised horse welfare and was fully committed to the fight against doping. After leaving the FEI in 1989, he was became an honorary member of the FEI Bureau.
“Fritz Widmer devoted 13 years of his life to the FEI and a whole lifetime to equestrian sport”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender said. “He will be sadly missed, but his reputation will live on for generations to come.”
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Fritz Widmer’s family, friends, the Swiss National Federation and the global Jumping and Dressage community.
Great Britain and Belgium head the seeds for the Draw for the World Group of the 2016 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, which will take place at the ITF AGM in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday 23 September at 19:00 local time (22:00 GMT). The Draw will be streamed live on http://www.daviscup.com.
The draws for 2016 Americas Zone Group I, Asia/Oceania Zone Groups I and II, and Europe/Africa Zone Group I will also take place in Santiago. The draws for Americas Zone Group II and Europe/Africa Zone Group II will be held following the remaining Davis Cup play-off ties on 30 October – 1 November.
According to the Davis Cup Regulations, the two finalist nations are seeded No. 1 and No. 2 in the World Group for the following year, and will be drawn in opposite halves. Seeds 3-8 are in accordance with the latest ITF Davis Cup Nations Ranking of 21 September.
World Group
1. Great Britain
2. Belgium
3. Czech Republic
4. Switzerland
5. France
6. Argentina
7. Serbia
8. Australia
The seeded nations will be drawn against the remaining World Group nations: Canada, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Poland and USA.
[Please note that Great Britain and USA, and Canada and Japan will both be drawn in opposite halves of the draw as per the Davis Cup Regulation that states “If two Nations have met each other in two successive years in the first round, in the third year they will be drawn in different halves of the draw.”]
Seeds for the Zone Group I and Group II competitions are also based on the latest Davis Cup Nations Ranking.
Americas Zone Group I
1. Brazil
2. Colombia
Remaining Nations: Winner of Barbados v Uruguay, Chile, Dominican Republic and Ecuador
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
1. India
2. Uzbekistan
Remaining Nations: China P.R., Korea Rep., New Zealand and Pakistan
Asia/Oceania Zone Group II
1. Chinese Taipei
2. Thailand
3. Philippines
4. Indonesia
Remaining Nations: Kuwait, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam
Europe/Africa Zone Group I
1. Spain
2. Slovakia
3. Netherlands
4. Ukraine
Remaining Nations: Austria, Winner of Denmark v Sweden, Hungary, Israel, Winner of Lithuania v Slovenia, Portugal, Romania and Russia
The World Group dates for the 2016 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas are as follows:
World Group first round: 4-6 March
World Group quarterfinals: 15-17 July
World Group semifinals and play-offs: 16-18 September
World Group Final: 25-27 November
The ITF has announced the final results for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, World Group play-offs and Zone Group ties taking place on 18-20 September.
Belgium will host the 2015 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final against Great Britain on 27-29 November, after Belgium defeated Argentina 3-2, and Great Britain defeated Australia 3-2 in the semifinals. The deadline for confirmation of the Final venue is Monday 28 September.
Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Switzerland and USA will all contest the 2016 World Group after victories in the World Group play-offs. The eight losers of the World Group play-offs, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, India, Netherlands, Russia, Slovakia and Uzbekistan, will all contest their respective Zone Group I competitions in 2016.
The Draw for the 2016 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas will be held during the ITF AGM in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday 23 September at 19:00 local time (22:00 GMT). The Draw will be streamed live on http://www.daviscup.com [Note: it may not be possible to hold all the Zone Group draws for the Americas and Europe/Africa as there are still further ties to be played in these regions.]
The seeds for the 2016 Davis Cup Draw will be announced on Monday 21 September. The top two seeds in the 2016 World Group will be the two finalists from 2015, while the remaining seeds will be based on the new Davis Cup Nations Ranking of 21 September.
GREAT BRITAIN defeated AUSTRALIA 3-2
Venue: Emirates Arena, Glasgow, GBR (hard – indoor)
Andy Murray (GBR) d. Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 63 60 63
Bernard Tomic (AUS) d. Daniel Evans (GBR) 63 76(2) 67(4) 64
Andy Murray/Jamie Murray (GBR) d. Samuel Groth/Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 46 63 64 67(6) 64
Andy Murray (GBR) d. Bernard Tomic (AUS) 75 63 62
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) d. Daniel Evans (GBR) 75 64
David Goffin (BEL) d. Federico Delbonis (ARG) 75 76(3) 63
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) d. Steve Darcis (BEL) 76(5) 76(1) 46 63
Carlos Berlocq/Leonardo Mayer (ARG) d. Ruben Bemelmans/Steve Darcis (BEL) 62 76(2) 57 76(5)
David Goffin (BEL) d. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 63 62 61
Steve Darcis (BEL) d. Federico Delbonis (ARG) 64 26 75 76(3)
WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS
CZECH REPUBLIC defeated INDIA 3-1
Venue: R.K.Khanna Tennis Stadium, New Delhi, IND (hard – outdoor)
Lukas Rosol (CZE) d. Yuki Bhambri (IND) 62 61 75
Somdev Devvarman (IND) d. Jiri Vesely (CZE) 76(3) 64 63
Adam Pavlasek/Radek Stepanek (CZE) d. Rohan Bopanna/Leander Paes (IND) 75 62 62
Jiri Vesely (CZE) d. Yuki Bhambri (IND) 63 75 62
Somdev Devvarman (IND) v Lukas Rosol (CZE) – not played
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) d. Thiemo de Bakker (NED) 26 63 46 63 75
Roger Federer (SUI) d. Jesse Huta Galung (NED) 63 64 63
Thiemo de Bakker/Matwe Middelkoop (NED) d. Marco Chiudinelli/Roger Federer (SUI) 76(7) 46 46 64 61
Roger Federer (SUI) d. Thiemo de Bakker (NED) 63 62 64
Henri Laaksonen (SUI) d. Tim Van Rijthoven (NED) 76(11) 63
ITALY defeated RUSSIA 4-1
Venue: Sports Palace ‘Baikal-Arena’, Irkutsk, RUS (hard – indoor)
Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) d. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 76(2) 61 63
Fabio Fognini (ITA) d. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 76(8) 62 62
Simone Bolelli/Fabio Fognini (ITA) d. Evgeny Donskoy/Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS) 75 26 76(5) 76(2)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) d. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 76(4) 63 76(5)
Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) d. Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS) 64 76(3)
Denis Istomin (UZB) d. Steve Johnson (USA) 61 36 76(5) 67(3) 75
Jack Sock (USA) d. Farrukh Dustov (UZB) 75 63 62
Steve Johnson/Sam Querrey (USA) d. Farrukh Dustov/Denis Istomin (UZB) 63 62 62
Jack Sock (USA) d. Denis Istomin (UZB) 62 26 64 64
Farrukh Dustov (UZB) v Steve Johnson (USA) – not played
JAPAN defeated COLOMBIA 3-2
Venue: Club Campestre, Pereira, COL (clay – outdoor)
Santiago Giraldo (COL) d. Taro Daniel (JPN) 64 63 36 16 64
Kei Nishikori (JPN) d. Alejandro Falla (COL) 76(3) 76(1) 75
Juan-Sebastian Cabal/Robert Farah (COL) d. Yoshihito Nishioka/Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) 67(4) 62 63 62
Kei Nishikori (JPN) d. Santiago Giraldo (COL) 64 62 76(3)
Taro Daniel (JPN) d. Alejandro Falla (COL) 76(3) 63 62
GERMANY defeated DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 4-1
Venue: Centro Nacional De Tenis Parque Del Este, Santo Domingo, DOM (hard – outdoor)
Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) d. Dustin Brown (GER) 64 57 76(3) 76(5)
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) d. Jose Hernandez-Fernandez (DOM) 61 63 61
Philipp Kohlschreiber/Philipp Petzschner (GER) d. Victor Estrella Burgos/Jose Hernandez-Fernandez (DOM) 63 62 63
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) d. Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) 64 61 62
Benjamin Becker (GER) d. Roberto Cid (DOM) 64 76(4)
CROATIA defeated BRAZIL 3-1
Venue: Costao do Santinho Resort, Florianopolis, BRA (clay – outdoor)
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) d. Mate Delic (CRO) 61 64 36 64
Borna Coric (CRO) d. Joao Souza (BRA) 64 76(5) 61
Ivan Dodig/Franko Skugor (CRO) d. Marcelo Melo/Bruno Soares (BRA) 60 36 76(2) 76(3)
Borna Coric (CRO) d. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 62 46 76(4) 40
Joao Souza (BRA) v Mate Delic (CRO) – not played
Martin Klizan (SVK) d. Michal Przysiezny (POL) 64 64 64
Jerzy Janowicz (POL) d. Norbert Gombos (SVK) 76(1) 64 67(5) 62
Lukasz Kubot/Marcin Matkowski (POL) d. Andrej Martin/Igor Zelenay (SVK) 63 64 64
Martin Klizan (SVK) d. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 63 76(4) 63
Michal Przysiezny (POL) d. Norbert Gombos (SVK) 63 64 64
EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP I 1ST ROUND RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. Mikael Torpegaard (DEN) 64 63 62
David Ferrer (ESP) d. Frederik Nielsen (DEN) 61 75 62
Rafael Nadal/Fernando Verdasco (ESP) d. Thomas Kromann/Frederik Nielsen (DEN) 64 36 76(4) 64
Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) d. Frederik Nielsen (DEN) 63 64
David Ferrer (ESP) d. Mikael Torpegaard (DEN) 61 63
CHINA, P.R. defeated THAILAND 5-0
Venue: The National Tennis Development Centre, Nonthaburi, THA (hard – outdoor)
Ze Zhang (CHN) d. Warit Sornbutnark (THA) 61 60 60
Di Wu (CHN) d. Pruchya Isarow (THA) 76(6) 62 62
Mao-Xin Gong/Zhe Li (CHN) d. Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana (THA) 76(6) 26 76(3) 10 ret.
Ze Zhang (CHN) d. Pruchya Isarow (THA) 64 61
Zhe Li (CHN) d. Warit Sornbutnark (THA) 61 60
AMERICAS ZONE GROUP I 1ST ROUND RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
ECUADOR defeated BARBADOS 3-2
Venue: National Tennis Centre, St. Michael, BAR (hard – outdoor)
Darian King (BAR) d. Ivan Endara (ECU) 64 64 62
Emilio Gomez (ECU) d. Haydn Lewis (BAR) 61 76(1) 64
Gonzalo Escobar/Emilio Gomez (ECU) d. Darian King/Russell Moseley (BAR) 63 64 61
Darian King (BAR) d. Emilio Gomez (ECU) 75 76(3) 61
Gonzalo Escobar (ECU) d. Seanon Williams (BAR) 62 61 60
EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP II PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS
PORTUGAL defeated BELARUS 3-2
Venue: Clube de Ténis de Viana, Viana do Castelo, POR (clay – outdoor)
Egor Gerasimov (BLR) d. Joao Sousa (POR) 06 16 62 62 64
Gastao Elias (POR) d. Uladzimir Ignatik (BLR) 63 76(3) 75
Gastao Elias/Joao Sousa (POR) d. Sergey Betov/Max Mirnyi (BLR) 76(3) 46 63 67(5) 63
Joao Sousa (POR) d. Uladzimir Ignatik (BLR) 61 61 64
Egor Gerasimov (BLR) d. Rui Machado (POR) 67(3) 61 64
HUNGARY defeated BULGARIA 3-2
Venue: Bulgarian National Tennis Center, Sofia, BUL (clay – outdoor)
Peter Nagy (HUN) d. Dimitar Kutrovsky (BUL) 64 60 63
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) d. Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) 63 61 61
Tihomir Grozdanov/Aleksandar Lazov (BUL) d. Marton Fucsovics/Levente Godry (HUN) 26 76(3) 64 46 61
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) d. Aleksandar Lazov (BUL) 63 64 62
Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) d. Gabor Borsos (HUN) 62 67(2) 62
ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP II PROMOTION PLAY-OFF
PAKISTAN defeated CHINESE TAIPEI 3-2
Venue: Ulusal Tenis Egitim Merkezi Tennis Club, Izmir, TUR (hard – outdoor)
Aqeel Khan (PAK) d. Jui-Chen Hung (TPE) 57 64 61 64
Jimmy Wang (TPE) d. Samir Iftikhar (PAK) 63 62 60
Aqeel Khan/Aisam Qureshi (PAK) d. Chieh-Fu Wang/Jimmy Wang (TPE) 62 63 36 63
Chieh-Fu Wang (TPE) d. Aqeel Khan (PAK) 67(2) 62 76(5) 16 63
Aisam Qureshi (PAK) d. Jui-Chen Hung (TPE) 76(3) 46 64 63
AMERICAS ZONE GROUP II PROMOTION PLAY-OFF
CHILE defeated VENEZUELA 5-0
Venue: Club Palestino, Santiago, CHI (clay – outdoor)
Gonzalo Lama (CHI) d. Ricardo Rodriguez (VEN) 64 61 75
Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) d. Jordi Munoz-Abreu (VEN) 64 63 63
Christian Garin/Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) d. Luis David Martinez/Ricardo Rodriguez (VEN) 76(0) 64 76(2)
Juan Carlos Saez (CHI) d. Miguel Angel Este (VEN) 63 62
Gonzalo Lama (CHI) d. Jordi Munoz-Abreu (VEN) 61 63
The ITF has announced the draws for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, World Group play-offs and Zone Group ties taking place on 18-20 September. A total of 18 ties will be held this weekend.
The winners of the two semifinals will contest the 2015 World Group Final on 27-29 November. The winners of the eight World Group play-offs will qualify for the 2016 World Group, while the losers will contest their respective Zone Group I competition in 2016.
The Draw for the 2016 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas will be held during the ITF AGM in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday 23 September at 19:00 local time (22:00 GMT).
Live scoring will be available on the official Davis Cup website throughout the weekend. In addition, the English and Spanish versions of the website will feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews and live streaming. There will also be a fan zone showing the best social media content on http://www.daviscup.com/showyourcolours
GREAT BRITAIN v AUSTRALIA
Venue: Emirates Arena, Glasgow, GBR (hard – indoor)
Andy Murray (GBR) v Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
Daniel Evans (GBR) v Bernard Tomic (AUS)
Dominic Inglot/Jamie Murray (GBR) v Samuel Groth/Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Andy Murray (GBR) v Bernard Tomic (AUS)
Daniel Evans (GBR) v Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
BELGIUM v ARGENTINA
Venue: Forest National, Brussels, BEL (hard – indoor)
David Goffin (BEL) v Federico Delbonis (ARG)
Steve Darcis (BEL) v Leonardo Mayer (ARG)
Ruben Bemelmans/Kimmer Coppejans (BEL) v Carlos Berlocq/Diego Schwartzman (ARG)
David Goffin (BEL) v Leonardo Mayer (ARG)
Steve Darcis (BEL) v Federico Delbonis (ARG)
WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS
INDIA v CZECH REPUBLIC
Venue: R.K.Khanna Tennis Stadium, New Delhi, IND (hard – outdoor)
Yuki Bhambri (IND) v Lukas Rosol (CZE)
Somdev Devvarman (IND) v Jiri Vesely (CZE)
Rohan Bopanna/Leander Paes (IND) v Adam Pavlasek/Radek Stepanek (CZE)
Yuki Bhambri (IND) v Jiri Vesely (CZE)
Somdev Devvarman (IND) v Lukas Rosol (CZE)
SWITZERLAND v NETHERLANDS
Venue: Palexpo, Geneva, SUI (hard – indoor)
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) v Thiemo de Bakker (NED)
Roger Federer (SUI) v Jesse Huta Galung (NED)
Roger Federer/Stan Wawrinka (SUI) v Matwe Middelkoop/Tim Van Rijthoven (NED)
Roger Federer (SUI) v Thiemo de Bakker (NED)
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) v Jesse Huta Galung (NED)
RUSSIA v ITALY
Venue: Sports Palace ‘Baikal-Arena’, Irkutsk, RUS (hard – indoor)
Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) v Simone Bolelli (ITA)
Andrey Rublev (RUS) v Fabio Fognini (ITA)
Evgeny Donskoy/Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS) v Paolo Lorenzi/Andreas Seppi (ITA)
Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) v Fabio Fognini (ITA)
Andrey Rublev (RUS) v Simone Bolelli (ITA)
UZBEKISTAN v USA
Venue: Olympic Tennis School, Tashkent, UZB (clay – outdoor)
Denis Istomin (UZB) v Steve Johnson (USA)
Farrukh Dustov (UZB) v Jack Sock (USA)
Farrukh Dustov/Denis Istomin (UZB) v Steve Johnson/Sam Querrey (USA)
Denis Istomin (UZB) v Jack Sock (USA)
Farrukh Dustov (UZB) v Steve Johnson (USA)
COLOMBIA v JAPAN
Venue: Club Campestre, Pereira, COL (clay – outdoor)
Santiago Giraldo (COL) v Taro Daniel (JPN)
Alejandro Falla (COL) v Kei Nishikori (JPN)
Juan-Sebastian Cabal/Robert Farah (COL) v Yoshihito Nishioka/Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN)
Santiago Giraldo (COL) v Kei Nishikori (JPN)
Alejandro Falla (COL) v Taro Daniel (JPN)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC v GERMANY
Venue: Centro Nacional De Tenis Parque Del Este, Santo Domingo, DOM (hard – outdoor)
Benjamin Becker (GER) v Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM)
Jose Hernandez-Fernandez (DOM) v Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)
Roberto Cid/Jose Olivares (DOM) v Dustin Brown/Philipp Petzschner (GER)
Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) v Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)
Jose Hernandez-Fernandez (DOM) v Benjamin Becker (GER)
BRAZIL v CROATIA
Venue: Costao do Santinho Resort, Florianopolis, BRA (clay – outdoor)
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) v Mate Delic (CRO)
Joao Souza (BRA) v Borna Coric (CRO)
Marcelo Melo/Bruno Soares (BRA) v Ivan Dodig/Franko Skugor (CRO)
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) v Borna Coric (CRO)
Joao Souza (BRA) v Mate Delic (CRO)
POLAND v SLOVAKIA
Venue: Gdynia Arena, Gdynia, POL (hard – indoor)
Michal Przysiezny (POL) v Martin Klizan (SVK)
Jerzy Janowicz (POL) v Norbert Gombos (SVK)
Lukasz Kubot/Marcin Matkowski (POL) v Andrej Martin/Igor Zelenay (SVK)
Jerzy Janowicz (POL) v Martin Klizan (SVK)
Michal Przysiezny (POL) v Norbert Gombos (SVK)
EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP I 1ST ROUND PLAY-OFF
DENMARK v SPAIN
Venue: Odense Idrætshal, DEN (hard – indoor)
Mikael Torpegaard (DEN) v Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Frederik Nielsen (DEN) v David Ferrer (ESP)
Thomas Kromann/Frederik Nielsen (DEN) v Roberto Bautista Agut/Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
Frederik Nielsen (DEN) v Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Mikael Torpegaard (DEN) v David Ferrer (ESP)
LITHUANIA v UKRAINE
Venue: Siemens Arena, Vilnius, LTU (hard – indoor)
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) v Vladyslav Manafov (UKR)
Laurynas Grigelis (LTU) v Illya Marchenko (UKR)
Lukas Mugevicius/Dovydas Sakinis (LTU) v Marat Deviatiarov/Denys Molchanov (UKR)
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) v Illya Marchenko (UKR)
Laurynas Grigelis (LTU) v Vladyslav Manafov (UKR)
ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP I RELEGATION PLAY-OFF
THAILAND v CHINA, P.R.
Venue: The National Tennis Development Centre, Nonthaburi, THA (hard – outdoor)
Warit Sornbutnark (THA) v Ze Zhang (CHN)
Pruchya Isarow (THA) v Di Wu (CHN)
Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana (THA) v Mao-Xin Gong/Zhe Li (CHN)
Pruchya Isarow (THA) v Ze Zhang (CHN)
Warit Sornbutnark (THA) v Di Wu (CHN)
AMERICAS ZONE GROUP I 1ST ROUND PLAY-OFF
BARBADOS v ECUADOR
Venue: National Tennis Centre, St. Michael, BAR (hard – outdoor)
Darian King (BAR) v Ivan Endara (ECU)
Haydn Lewis (BAR) v Emilio Gomez (ECU)
Darian King/Haydn Lewis (BAR) v Gonzalo Escobar/Emilio Gomez (ECU)
Darian King (BAR) v Emilio Gomez (ECU)
Haydn Lewis (BAR) v Ivan Endara (ECU)
EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP II PROMOTION PLAY-OFF
PORTUGAL v BELARUS
Venue: Clube de Ténis de Viana, Viana do Castelo, POR (clay – outdoor)
Joao Sousa (POR) v Egor Gerasimov (BLR)
Gastao Elias (POR) v Uladzimir Ignatik (BLR)
Gastao Elias/Joao Sousa (POR) v Sergey Betov/Max Mirnyi (BLR)
Joao Sousa (POR) v Uladzimir Ignatik (BLR)
Gastao Elias (POR) v Egor Gerasimov (BLR)
BULGARIA v HUNGARY
Venue: Bulgarian National Tennis Center, Sofia, BUL (clay – outdoor)
Dimitar Kutrovsky (BUL) v Peter Nagy (HUN)
Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) v Marton Fucsovics (HUN)
Tihomir Grozdanov/Aleksandar Lazov (BUL) v Marton Fucsovics/Levente Godry (HUN)
Dimitar Kutrovsky (BUL) v Marton Fucsovics (HUN)
Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) v Peter Nagy (HUN)
ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP II PROMOTION PLAY-OFF
PAKISTAN v CHINESE TAIPEI
Venue: Ulusal Tenis Egitim Merkezi Tennis Club, Izmir, TUR (hard – outdoor)
Aqeel Khan (PAK) v Jui-Chen Hung (TPE)
Samir Iftikhar (PAK) v Jimmy Wang (TPE)
Mohammad Abid Ali Khan Akbar/Aisam Qureshi (PAK) v Chieh-Fu Wang/Cheng-Yu Yu (TPE)
Aqeel Khan (PAK) v Jimmy Wang (TPE)
Samir Iftikhar (PAK) v Jui-Chen Hung (TPE)
AMERICAS ZONE GROUP II PROMOTION PLAY-OFF
CHILE v VENEZUELA
Venue: Club Palestino, Santiago, CHI (clay – outdoor)
Gonzalo Lama (CHI) v Ricardo Rodriguez (VEN)
Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) v Jordi Munoz-Abreu (VEN)
Christian Garin/Luis David Martinez (CHI) v Jordi Munoz-Abreu/Juan Carlos Saez (VEN)
Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) v Ricardo Rodriguez (VEN)
Juan Carlos Saez (CHI) v Jordi Munoz-Abreu (VEN)
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