Spain vs. Germany Highlights 2018 Davis Cup Quarterfinal Matchups Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
The Davis Cup quarterfinals feature a host of top European sides along with team USA hoping to make it one step further towards the 2018 Davis Cup final. Here is your full preview, with predictions.
An experienced Italian side will battle on clay against the title favorites France. Lucas Pouille takes on Andreas Seppi, while Fabio Fognini is slated to face Jeremy Chardy in the opening ties. Those early ties should decide things, while the French have an edge in doubles with Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut opposite Simone Bolelli/Paolo Lorenzi. Italy at home has a chance, but I’ll back a strong French side.
On clay in Spain, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer lead the Armada against a strong German side in the tie of the weekend. Alexander Zverev will look to strengthen his credentials as the top player for his country. Philipp Kohlschreiber is also on hand, while the Lopez brothers is set to face Tim Puetz/J.L. Struff in doubles. On clay Nadal and Ferrer should be too tough and Spain looks positioned to advance.
Marin Cilic and Borna Coric make the home Croatian side favorites on clay against Kazakhstan. The Kazakh’s play strong as a team led by Mikhail Kukushkin, but Dmitry Popko, Timur Khabibulin, and Aleksandr Nedovyesov are simply not strong enough against Cilic and Coric. Ivan Dodig and Nikola Mektic are on hand for doubles. Croatia should win easily.
John Isner and Sam Querrey are on home soil in Nashville on hard courts against a weak Belgian side. Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock are also on hand, while Joris De Loore, Ruben Bemelmans, and Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen counter for Belgium. Anything but a USA sweep would be a shock.
In Europe/Africa Group 1 Jiri Vesely and the Czech Republic takes on Dudi Sela in Israel, the Ymer brothers lead Sweden against Joao Sousa and Portugal, Martin Klizan and Damir Dzumhur feature in the Slovakia vs. Bosnia tie, and a strong Russian side looks to close out Austria with Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev leading the charge.
Colombia vs. Brazil, Indian vs. China, and Argentina vs. Chile also feature, with Diego Schwartzman and Nicolas Jarry squaring off in Argentina on clay.
2017 Davis Cup World Group Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
The World Group quarterfinals of the 2017 Davis Cup will take place over the weekend, as a host of global tennis powers will battle it out to advance further in this legendary team competition. Here is your preview, with predictions, for all the action.
On indoor hard, in Belgium, the pairing of Steve Darcis and David Goffin that leads Belgum should have an edge against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi and Andreas Seppi. Rounding out the teams are Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore for Belgium, and Simone Bolelli and Alessandro Giannessi for Italy. Italy may be able to win a rubber or two, but they are at a clear disadvantage against the best team Belgium can field.
Nick Kyrgios, fresh off a great run of form in the Spring hard court Masters returns down under to Brisbane to lead Australia on hard courts against team USA. Joining him will be fellow young gun Jordan Thompson, and a doubles pairing of Sam Groth and John Peers. Team USA has it’s #1 and #2 Jack Sock and John Isner, with Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson once again returning for at least doubles action, and possibly singles play if Jim Courier opts to bring them on. With both Sock and Kyrgios playing well, the winner of their match, likely taking place on Sunday, could decide the tie. Australia will need to win the doubles and Kyrgios will need to run the table, as Thompson is at a disadvantage in singles. Despite being at a disadvantage with travel, team USA should be a slight favorite.
On clay in France, Lucas Pouille and Jeremy Chardy will be slight favorites in the singles against Team GB’s pairing of Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans. The doubles tie will feature prominently in this cross-channel contest, with Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut slated to face Dominic Inglot and Jamie Murray. Despite team GB’s edge in doubles, the French team should be able to win three of four singles ties on clay, securing a victory for this strong squad.
On indoor hard courts in Serbia, the home squad looks to have an advantage with Novak Djokovic returning from an elbow injury to lead his country. The legendary Djokovic is joined by fellow Davis Cup veteran Viktor Troicki, and doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic, with Dusan Lajovic in reserve for team Serbia. Spain has Pablo Carreno Busta, Albert Ramos-Vinolas, the young Jaume Munar, and doubles specialist Marc Lopez. Spain may be able to pull off an upset or two, but Serbia has the stronger squad, home advantage, and should prevail with relative ease.
Action outside of the World Group
in Americas Group 1 Brazil, led by ATP regulars Thomaz Bellucci and Thiago Monteiro, travels to Ecuador as favorites, in large part thanks to their top 10 doubles team pairing of Bruno Soares and Marcelo Melo. In Asia’s group 1, Mikhail Kukushkin and Kahazhkstan play host to China, India, which features the steadying presence of Rohan Bopanna hosts Uzbekistan.
In Europe/Africa group 2, Marsel Ilhan vs. Elias Ymer will be a key matchup as Turkey hosts Sweden, Nikolosz Basilasvhili’s Georgia faces off with Lithuania, Casper Ruud leads Norway at home against Denmark, while South Africa hosts Slovenia. In Europe/Africa Group 1, a weakened Ukrainian team should get rolled by Joao Sousa’s Portugal, Austria’s Melzer brothers will look to knock off Belarus and Damir Dzumhur’s Bosnia will face off with Robin Haase’s Netherlands.
2017 Davis Cup World Group Round 1 Preview and Predictions Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
The Davis Cup kicks off for 2017 this weekend, in matches that feature Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Jack Sock, John Isner, Richard Gasquet, Alexander Zverev, and Dan Evans among others. Here is your preview and predictions for the matchups, with a look at who might shine in the national colors this weekend.
The only world group tie taking place on clay this weekend pits defending champions Argentina against fellow clay loving nation Italy in Buenos Aires. Three top 100 Argentines, Diego Schwartzman, Carlos Berlocq, and Guido Pella are on the home squad, with veteran Leonardo Mayer as the fourth player. Veteran Paolo Lorenzi is Italy’s top ranked player, with Fabio Fognini, an in-form Andreas Seppi, and comeback kid Simone Bolelli completing their team. Bolelli hasn’t played a pro match since the middle of 2016, so it’s uncertain what part he’ll play in the tie. Home soil should inspire Argentina, a nation that fights hard in this team events, but with Lorenzi and Seppi as the top 2 players in this tie overall, I give Italy a slight edge to advance.
The Zverev brothers recent success in Melbourne could continue on indoor hard courts in Frankfurt against Belgium. Along with Alexander and Mischa, Germany has veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber, and top 60 ATP level player J.L. Struff to round out their squad. Belgium has veteran Steve Darcis leading the way, he’ll be playing alongside Ruben Bemelmans, Arthur De Greef, and Joris De Loore. The Belgians have just one top 60 player, while Germany has four. Regardless of how each team captain decides their rubber nominations, presuming team Germany is fit, they should win.
After the Australian Open, the green and gold squad of Nick Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson, Sam Groth, and AO doubles champion John Peers got to stay in Melbourne to face off with the Czech Republic on outdoor hard courts. Veteran Radek Stepanek leads them, as Jiri Vesely, Jan Satral, and young gun Zdenek Kolar complete their squad. Stepanek is solid for the doubles, and Vesely will put up a fight, but presuming Kyrgios is healthy, he should win his matches. Given the Aussie edge in doubles, and the fact Thompson is an improving player, team Australia should prevail.
Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka didn’t travel down south to Birmingham, Alabama for an indoor hard court contest against team USA. Without having much depth beyond their top two players, the Swiss are at a huge disadvantage against the Yanks. Jack Sock, John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson are all solid ATP players, while Henri Laaksonen, Marco Chiudinelli, Adrien Bossel, and Antoine Bellier are lacking in tour level accomplishments. Team United States should win with ease.
France hasn’t won the Davis Cup since 2001, but they once again bring one of the strongest and most well balanced team to the tournament. Veterans Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon, and Nicolas Mahut lead team France. Pierre-Hugues Herbert is also on hand to pair with Mahut in the doubles tie. Japan is missing Kei Nishikori, which means Taro Daniel and Yoshihito Nishioka will be playing lead roles. Yasutaka Uchiyama and Yuichi Sugita are also on hand at home on indoor hard courts. Given the ATP level accomplishments of Gasquet and Simon, team France are heavy favorites against an inexperienced Japanese team. Mahut and Herbert should take the doubles and clinch the tie.
Despite the absence of ATP giants Andy Murray and Milos Raonic in Ottawa, this indoor hard court matchup between two commonwealth nations should be competitive, and entertaining. Teenager Denis Shapovalov and 44 year old Daniel Nestor are on the opposite ends of the career spectrum, but will play integral roles for team Canada in this tie. Vasek Pospisil and Peter Polansky round out the home squad. Team GB has the rising Dan Evans leading the way, with Kyle Edmund as #2 singles, and Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot for doubles.
Evans should have an edge in both singles matches, given his 7-2 start to the season, and the British doubles pairing is strong, despite Nestor and Pospisil’s doubles success. Given their edge in at least three of the five possible matches, team GB are my pick. Great Britain‘s Edmund is also in better form than the struggling Pospisil, Shapovalov, and Polansky.
Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki will lead the way at home on indoor hard courts against Russia. Serbia brings Nenad Zimonjic for doubles, and Dusan Lajovic serves as their backup single player. Russia counters with two young guns, Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov. Andrey Kuznetsov, an ATP level player, is also on their team, with Konstantin Kravchuk as their fourth player. Presuming Djokovic plays for Serbia throughout the competition, paired alongside Troicki, this Serbian team are favorites to take home the title at years end, and Serbia should routine Russia in this one, barring once in a lifetime performances from Russia in singles.
Spain brings three top 40 singles players to do battle on indoor hard courts in Croatia. The defending DC finalist Croats are lacking all of their nation’s top men’s tennis talents. A team of Franko Skugor, Nikola Mektic, Ante Pavic, and Marin Draganja, all relative journeymen, is unlikely to stand up well against Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and the Lopez brothers, Feliciano and Marc. Spain should sweep, with the Lopez brothers clinching the doubles rubber.
Notable Action Outside of the World Group
Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri leads the way against Sweden, while Casper Ruud leads a young Norwegian team against Latvia in the only notable ties in Group 2 level play. Taiwan and China face off in an Asia Group 1 tie that should roil political tensions. Denis Istomin, fresh off his victory against Novak Djokovic in Melbourne leads Uzbekistan against a young South Korean team that should feature recent Challenger champion Hyeon Chung, and the deaf Duckhee Lee.
In Europe/Africa Group 1, Lukas Lacko and Martin Klizan’s Slovakia will will be favorites against Hungary. 39 year old Max Mirnyi should play for Belarus against Romania, and Joao Sousa’s Portugal are home favorites against Dudi Sela and Israel.
2016 Davis Cup World Group Semifinals Preview and Predictions Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
Post US Open, the attention in the tennis world shifts to the Davis Cup as Great Britain battle Argentina in Glasgow, and France travels to Croatia for a home tie for the Croats. The World Group playoffs also take place this weekend, with a host of teams looking to either remain in, or make next year’s World Group. Here is your comprehensive preview.
Juan Martin Del Potro and Argentina have a great chance to upset team GB at home and reach the Davis Cup final, after dispatching the defending champions. The British refuse to give up their title that easily though, and a hard court surface will help their team perform its best.
Andy Murray will lead off against Del Potro, in a match I make him a slight favorite in after Murray won their Olympic gold medal match. Kyle Edmund, coming off a strong showing at the US Open, should defeat dirtballer Guido Pella, and that would put team GB 2-0 up. The Murray brothers, including US Open champion Jamie Murray are in for the doubles as well, opposite Federico Delbonis and Leonardo Mayer. Dan Evans is also on team GB as a reverse.
Team Argentina is a gutsy, working man’s team, but unless Del Potro can win two singles rubbers, and Argentina can snag the doubles, it’s hard to see them winning this tie. Murray+Edmund should be enough to get the Brits into their second straight Davis Cup final. British tennis is on the rise and Great Britain are my pick.
Marin Cilic and Borna Coric are solid players for Croatia, but neither are in great form, and even though they get a home tie, the combined skills of Lucas Pouille and Richard Gasquet make France the favorites. The French doubles team of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut is one of the elite teams in the world, the Croatians counter with the less accomplished Ivan Dodig and Marin Draganja.
Pouille’s strong showing at the US Open bodes well for him, and although Gasquet may be a bit shaky, I don’t see him losing both rubbers, and the French losing the doubles, thus France should will their way to a win.
A Swiss team without US Open champion Wawrinka, and the injured Federer, is more than likely going to go down in defeat to Uzbekistan on clay in Tashkent. The Swiss will fall from the World Group almost certainly, given Antoine Bellier, Henri Laaksonen, Adrien Bossel, and Johan Nikles aren’t even that accomplished on the challenger tour, much less the ATP level. Denis Istomin and Farrukh Dustov are both credible enough for Uzbekistan, and they are joined by young guns Sanjar Fayziev and Jurabek Karimov.
The indoor hard court surface and home venue make Belgium the favorites to stay in the World Group vs. Brazil. Thiago Monteiro and Thomaz Bellucci are a bit more comfortable on clay, although the Brazilians have a great doubles team in the form of Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.
Belgium‘s balanced team features a solid ATP player in the form of David Goffin, and veteran serve and volleyer Steve Darcis. Joris De Loore and Ruben Bemelmans are on hand for doubles. Goffin should get two wins, and I’d favor Darcis over Monteiro, even if Brazil can take the doubles and keep the tie alive.
A grass court in Sydney gives team Australia the edge against Slovakia. Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic are leading the way, with Sam Groth and John Peers in for doubles. Slovakia counters with challenger tour regulars Andrej Martin and Jozef Kovalik, with Martin and Igor Zelenay scheduled for doubles. Tomic, Kyrgios, and Groth all love playing on grass, and they should dominate on this fast surface.
Canada is playing at home in Halifax, and despite not having their strong team, they should still be able to dispatch a Chilean team that prefers clay. Vasek Pospisil leads team Canada, although he’s had a miserable year and could drop a match or two. Frank Dancevic, young gun Denis Shapovalov, and doubles specialist Adil Shamasdin round out the team.
Chile has challenger level players Gonzalo Lama, Christian Garin, Hans Podlipnik-Castillo, and Nicolas Jarry. Garin and Jarry may yet mature into ATP caliber players, but I doubt this will be a week to remember for them given Canada has a well rounded team.
This hard court matchup in Moscow starts out with Russia being slight favorites, but Kazakhstan clearly capable of bridging that gap and winning this tie to remain in the World Group. Russia has a solid pairing of Andrey Kuznetsov and Evgeny Donskoy as their top two, with Konstantin Kravchuk and Andrey Rublev set for doubles.
Kazakhstan counters with veteran Mikhail Kukushkin, Aleksandr Nedovyesov, and Andrey Golubev, with Dmitry Popko in reserve. The Kazak team always plays with great chemistry and heart, but Russia has a stronger team, their players simply need to step up and will out a win.
Rafael Nadal will be the talk of India, as he leads the Spanish armada into New Delhi to face an upstart Indian team. Nadal, David Ferrer, and the Lopez brothers, Marc and Feliciano, make up a loaded Spanish team.
India counters with the improving Ramkumar Ramanathan, and Saketh Myneni, with veteran Leander Paes for doubles. Sumit Nagal is in reserve. Team India has no business winning a single rubber in this tie, and anything less than a sweep for Spain, with their experienced ATP veterans, would be a shock.
A battle of European neighbors on clay in Berlin. J.L Struff and veteran Florian Mayer feature for Germany, alongside Daniel Brands and Daniel Masur for doubles. Poland counters with a weaker team of challenger level players Kamil Majchrzak, Hubert Hurkacz, and a doubles team of Lukasz Kubot and Marcin Matkowski.
If Poland had Jerzy Janowicz, they might have a chance here, but even with Germany bringing their B team, they are still stronger at everything except the doubles. A Polish win in doubles would bring this tie into Sunday.
Ukraine travels to Japan, led by their new national #1 Illya Marchenko, who achieved a best ever second week showing at the US Open. Marchenko is joined by Artem Smirnov, and Danylo Kalenichenko, with ATP veteran Sergiy Stakhovsky on the team, but not scheduled to play.
Japan has their top player Kei Nishikori, plus the solid Taro Daniel, Yoshihito Nishioka, and Yuichi Sugita. With Nishikori leading Japan, I’d be shocked to see them lose at home, as Ukraine is missing Stakhovsky and Alexandr Dolgopolov. Japan are clear favorites.
2016 Davis Cup World Group Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
A busy week of tennis will expand with the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinals, and ties in lower level groups starting tomorrow. Here is your preview with predictions for the final Davis Cup ties before the Olympic games in Rio.
Two recent Davis Cup champions will face off in Belgrade on clay. Serbia has a b-level squad that is anchored by the veteran presence of Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic, while Dusan Lajovic, and Filip Krajinovic, a pair of fringe ATP dirtballers round out their squad. Team GB is unlikely to get the services of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, although he’s on the squad. Andy’s brother Jamie, Kyle Edmund, and DC hero Dan Evans are on Leon’s Smith team though, as team GB looks to defend their DC title.
Zimonjic and Jamie Murray should cancel each other out as doubles specialists, on clay, Edmund is credible, Evans much less so, having not played on clay in two years, and Lajovic and Krajinovic both have a chance to win the three singles rubbers out of four needed to take the tie on their own. Tipsarevic is a shell of his former self after injuries, and Krajinovic hasn’t played in weeks however, thus team GB has a puncher’s chance, but they will need the doubles rubber. Unless Andy Murray plays, Serbia is the favorite.
Italy vs. Argentina
Home court advantage should be crucial for Italy as they try to win an evenly matched tie against Argentina on clay. Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi are leading the Italian team, with veteran Paolo Lorenzi and Marco Cecchinato also on the squad. Argentina counters with a newly rejuvenated Juan Martin Del Potro, veteran performer Juan Monaco, and younger dirtballers Guido Pella and Federico Delbonis.
This is a tough tie to predict, if Del Potro plays, and plays well, Argentina has a clear advantage. Regardless, Pella, Delbonis, and Monaco are all steady on clay, while Fognini, and Seppi are more erratic in form. Italy could win, but I’m going with the more consistent Argentina.
Czech Republic vs. France
On indoor hard in the Czech Republic, veteran Radek Stepanek leads a Czech squad that also features upward rising Jiri Vesely, big hitter Lukas Rosol, and the challenger level Adam Pavlasek. France counters with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the lead, the world class doubles pairing of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, and rising young gun Lucas Pouille.
Despite playing at home, France has a clear advantage if Tsonga is fit and plays. Pouille may not win a match, but he’s capable of playing well, Mahut and Herbert are perhaps the best doubles team in the world, and the Czech’s don’t have Tomas Berdych to rely on for this tie. Only multiple upsets would prevent France from advancing.
The Pacific Northwest will get a taste of professional tennis on outdoor hard courts as Portland hosts the USA vs. Croatia. Jim Courier opted to go with his usual squad, skipping Wimbledon hero Sam Querrey, and the in-form Steve Johnson. John Isner leads the way, with Jack Sock as the #2 singles player, and the Bryan brothers for doubles. Croatia has most of their best players, with their #1 Marin Cilic leading the way, the young Borna Coric as his #2, and Ivan Dodig and Marin Draganja for doubles.
The Wimbledon quarterfinalist Cilic should prevail in both of his singles matches against Isner and Sock. Isner and Sock aren’t in great form, but will be happy to return to outdoor hard courts. Coric isn’t in great form himself, and I see him losing both singles rubbers, which means this match is likely decided on the Saturday doubles point. The Bryans are in decline, but still a tremendous pairing, and assuming they win, the USA will advance.
Action outside of the World Group
In Americas Group 1, Thomaz Bellucci’s Brazil are favorites against Ecuador and Santiago Giraldo’s Colombia should knock off Chile on the road. In Europe-Africa Group 1, Spain are heavy favorites on the road against Romania as they have ATP regulars Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Feliciano Lopez on their squad. Romania has a great doubles team with Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea, but little else. Veteran former top ATP player Jurgen Melzer is playing for Austria in Ukraine, his team are underdogs against a team led by Sergiy Stakhovsky.
Russia vs. Netherlands should be a close tie in Moscow, young gun Andrey Rublev is playing for Russia, while the Netherlands have fringe ATP veterans Robin Haase and Thiemo De Bakker on their squad. In Europe-Africa Group 2, Jarkko Nieminen is unretiring to help Finland against Denmark.
2016 Davis Cup World Group First Round Preview and Predictions Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic
The 2016 Davis Cup will kickoff with the first round of the World Group and a host of ties at levels below the world group as many of the top players in men’s tennis will be donning the national uniform and representing their country in an Olympic year. Here is a look at the World Group matchups.
The defending champion Brits take on a rising Japan, in a tie that Tennis Atlantic is proud to have credentialed coverage from. Andy Murray will be in action for team GB, and the decisive match is likely to take place in the 4th rubber between Murray and Kei Nishikori. Dan Evans is GB’s #2, with Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot available for doubles. Japan counters with Taro Daniel as their singles #2, and has Yoshihito Nishioka, and Yasutaka Uchiyama scheduled for doubles, though Nishioka can also play singles.
Given the indoor hard court surface, with GB hosting, they should be the favorite. Murray is 4-1 against Nishikori, and Evans likely has a slight edge on indoor hard against Daniel, who prefers clay. Team GB also has a stronger doubles team.
With world #1 Novak Djokovic participating after an eye infection forced him out of ATP Dubai, team Serbia are heavy favorites against Kazakhstan at home in Belgrade on indoor hard court. Djokovic is joined by Viktor Troicki, one of the strongest players on tour this year, with Filip Krajinovic as a reserve player, and Nenad Zimonjic as the doubles specialist.
Kazakhstan has Mikhail Kukushkin, Aleksandr Nedovyesov, and Andrey Golubev, with Dmitry Popko in reserve. None of the Kazakh players are stronger than fringe ATP regulars, and it would take a miracle, or an injury, for Serbia to lose this tie.
Indoor red clay is the surface as Italy plays host to a Swiss team that lacks a top 100 player. Andreas Seppi, Paolo Lorenzi, Simone Bolelli, and Marco Cecchinato get the call for Italy, with Lorenzi having a good year on clay, and Seppi and Bolelli ATP regulars.
Switzerland has a veteran presence in the form of Marco Chiudinelli, along with Henri Laaksonen, and Adrian Bossel. Just like in the previous tie, it would be a shock if Italy even lost a match in this tie given the mismatch between the players. If the Swiss had Federer and Wawrinka, things would be quite different.
19 year old Hubert Hurkacz will have a heavy weight on his shoulders as he makes his Davis Cup debut at home on indoor hard courts for Poland. Former top 100 veteran Michal Przysiezny, now a challenger level player, joins him, with veterans Lukasz Kubot and Marcin Matkowski set for doubles.
Argentina is disadvantaged greatly by the surface, but has a more accomplished team with Guido Pella, Leonardo Mayer, veteran Carlos Berlocq, and Renzo Olivo. Given Hurkacz has never played an ATP match, Przysiezny is playing for the first time this year, and Mayer is a decent hard court player, Argentina should win rather comfortably.
This tie is played on French soil but it’s practically on a neutral site given it’s in the Caribbean on outdoor clay. France should have an advantage if they can stay healthy and focused. Veterans Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga form their team, while Canada is missing Milos Raonic, and Daniel Nestor. Frank Dancevic is now leading off in singles, with Vasek Pospisil, and Philip Bester also scheduled to play. They also subbed in Adil Shamasdin for doubles.
Pospisil is the only ATP caliber player on the Canadian team, while the French have any combination of four solid clay court stars. This tie could well be over in three rubbers.
Indoor hard courts in Hanover are the venue as Germany are slight underdogs against the Czech Republic, in one of the most interesting ties of the week. The veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber will lead them off against big hitter Lukas Rosol, and the young gun Alexander Zverev will follow against top 10 player Tomas Berdych.
The exciting Dustin Brown, and veteran Philipp Petzschner are also available for Germany in doubles. The Czechs counter with Jiri Vesely, and Radek Stepanek, with Vesely available for singles and doubles.
Kohlschreiber leads Rosol 4-1 in h2h matches and his form recently has been strong. Berdych is 2-0 against Zverev over the last two seasons, but both matches were competitive on indoor hard courts, Zverev can’t be counted out. The doubles should prove crucial and decide the tie if Berdych wins over Kohlschreiber in the fourth rubber, but if Germany wins the doubles, Zverev is a slight favorite against Rosol in rubber #5.
Home grass courts will give Australia plenty of hope against Team USA, but they are still underdogs as Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are both out. Bernard Tomic will be leading the way, with the big server Sam Groth joining him, John Peers as a doubles specialist, and the captain Lleyton Hewitt nominating himself as a reserve player if needed. Should Hewitt play, this will be his final Davis Cup tie most likely.
Team USA has John Isner to match Groth’s serves, Jack Sock, and the Bryan Brothers for doubles. Isner has lost three straight matches, but Groth has lost five straight, giving Isner the edge in his first match. Tomic is 0-3 against Sock in the h2h, but has been in better recent form compared to Sock. On grass, Tomic should be the favorite, and Isner is 1-0 in the h2h against Tomic.
The Bryans have an edge in doubles, and Sock also has an edge over Groth, meaning team USA should find a way to win.
Last year’s David Cup finalist have a tough defense on indoor clay against Croatia at home. David Goffin is leading them, and he has a 2-0 h2h record against his first opponent, the young Borna Coric. Marin Cilic will have a big edge over challenger level player Kimmer Coppejans in his first match though, and the veteran performer should grab a win.
After an expected 1-1 opening day, Ivan Dodig and Franko Skugor should have a big edge in doubles over Bemelmans and Arthur De Greef, both challenger level players.
Goffin and Cilic have never played before, though I give Goffin a slight edge on clay to extend the tie, and force Coric to defeat Coppejans. The young gun has proven his mettle thus far in his career though and I expect him to get the job done if needed.
Prediction: Croatia
Notable action outside of the World Group
In Europe-Africa Group 1, Marius Copil and Romania take on Blaz Rola and Slovenia on indoor hard courts. Joao Sousa and Gastao Elias are slated to face Dominic Thiem and Austria on indoor hard courts in Portugal.
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