Fans Make a Davis Cup Racket

Patriotism was busting out all over in red, white and blue surges of emotion Friday, in the least expected place.

The tassel-loafered, cell-phone-holstered crowd at FitzGerald Tennis Center co-opted the rest of the world’s raucous approach to Davis Cup tennis matches, added that to good old American rooting for a winner and cheered the United States to a 2-0 lead over Australia on the first day of the Davis Cup semifinal.

Apathy is the accustomed greeting for American Davis Cup players at home, so it took uncharacteristic displays of emotion from two singularly unexpressive players to get the packed house of 7,500 in the proper spirit.

Second-ranked Michael Chang shook his fist repeatedly during his match with No. 3 Patrick Rafter, goading the sleepy crowd to respond. When he defeated Rafter, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, the fans did.

Pete Sampras scolded them in the second match, in which he easily dispatched Mark Philippoussis, 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

At one point in the third set, Sampras made two spectacular shots to finish consecutive points and seemed miffed that the crowd was not reacting. He raised his arms, looked into the stands and exhorted the fans to scream along with him. They did.

For the first match and most of the second, car alarms from a nearby parking lot made more noise than the polite crowd, which maintained the American Davis Cup tradition of moderating excitement with respectful silence. It took the players cueing the fans to get anything going. But then the place got rowdy.

“There were a few idiots,” Australian captain John Newcombe said. “You expect that in a large crowd. We expect people to cheer for their home country. That’s Davis Cup.”

That’s Davis Cup in South America, not North America.

Newcombe was asked how he felt.

“Not as good as I felt at five until 11 this morning,” he replied. “We’re down, we’re in trouble, but the fat lady hasn’t called for a limo yet.”

The question of who will play doubles for the United States in today’s match was not resolved Friday. Todd Martin fainted during Thursday’s draw ceremony, suffering from gastroenteritis and dehydration. Martin’s condition improved greatly overnight and he practiced Friday evening.

Still, U.S. captain Tom Gullikson was not willing to disclose his selections, which he must declare an hour before today’s match.

Sampras was able to get off the court in less than two hours and that will be a factor in Gullikson’s decision. So will the cooler weather that moved in Friday. Sampras said he will play if asked.

Whoever plays will face the best doubles team in the world, Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge, who have won nine Grand Slam doubles titles.

The doubles match is usually a nerve-racking adventure for the U.S., which relies on its singles players to provide scoring power. They didn’t disappoint Friday.

Chang and Rafter have a burgeoning rivalry that now includes their mutual interest in overtaking Sampras at No. 1. Their most recent meetings have come at critical moments. Rafter beat Chang in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tuneup tournament and then in straight sets in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Rafter went on to win the title.

Friday, Chang served exceptionally well and augmented that with sharp returns of Rafter’s serves.

Chang won the first set, but whatever momentum he had slipped away when Rafter broke him in his first service game of the second set. Rafter won that set and took a 3-1 lead in the third when Chang called on the crowd for support. His fist-pumping ignited a cheering jag by the crowd and Chang responded by winning five games in a row and the third set.

Chang broke Rafter twice in the fourth set, was broken once, and needed four match points to give the U.S. its first point.

Sampras followed by playing the first two sets of his match at what he called the highest level he has ever attained.

Philippoussis’ booming serves couldn’t save him against Sampras and the crowd.

Even though he was, to some extent, a victim of the partisan fans, Philippoussis respected the tradition of it.

“They were going nuts out there,” he said. “Americans were enjoying themselves out there. They’ve got the No. 1 and No. 2 players playing. I think, for the first time in a long time in Davis Cup, they were just cheering their guys on. That is what is supposed to happen.”

Davis Cup Note

The U.S.-Australia winner will face Italy or Sweden, which were tied, 1-1, after Friday’s singles, in the final Nov. 28-30.