Another exciting weekend of Davis Cup is upon as this is the quarterfinal weekend for 2013. There is also plenty of good action in the zones and I'll preview it all here. I think this week is fitting for Davis Cup as the players change surfaces and continents. To me, it provides more freedom for the players to have one last hard court event or an early preview for the clay, plus the great majority of players haven't played much in the past month.
Davis Cup Quarterfinals
Italy at Canada: Canada has the highest ranked player in the tie in Raonic, but the Italians have the greater depth with Seppi, Fognini, Lorenzi, and Bolelli. I can't see Raonic dropping a singles match and Nestor is there for the Canadian doubles, but he did falter against Spain. I like Canada at home on their fast court in Vancouver, but this isn't a given. The Italians have had quiet success on the tour this year. CAN 3 ITA 1
Serbia at United States: The USA picks Boise, Idaho for this tie which I thought was a bit odd, but it's at altitude and will require some out of the way travel for Djokovic and company. It hurts the Serbs that Tipsarevic is out because it means that Troicki must play singles and Bozoljac will likely play with Zimonjic in doubles. I like Isner to beat Troicki in a deciding singles match but wouldn't be surprised by an upset of Djokovic. Call me a homer, but USA 3 SRB 2
France at Argentina: This would have been an intriguing matchup if Del Potro had turned out. But he didn't and Monaco is very much out of form. France will be very tough to beat with Tsonga, Gasquet, Benneteau, and Llodra and I wonder if Argentina will even win a rubber. About the only thing going for the Argentines is they are at home. FRA 3 ARG 1
Czech Republic at Kazakhstan: The last time these teams met in 2011, Golubev and Kukushkin played inspired tennis as they upset the Czechs (who were playing without Stepanek), and now they are at home in perhaps the most out of the way Davis Cup locale. Berdych has gone out injured so now is Stepanek and Rosol leading the way. This is tough to call because you don't know which Kazakhs will show up. But I'm going to call a monumental upset with Golubev triumphing over Rosol in a live 5th rubber. KAZ 3 CZE 2
Europe/Africa Zonal Group I
Promotion ties (winners to World Group Playoffs):
Russia at Great Britain: How many home ties will the Brits get in a row? But they'll need all the help they can get without Murray despite the Russians going in without Youzhny and Davydenko. It will Ward and Baker against Tursunov, Donskoy, and Kunitsyn for singles. I like the way the Russians have been playing recently. I wouldn't be shocked if they choke this, but I'm picking them. RUS 3 GBR 1
South Africa at Poland: South Africa's tennis association is a mess after turning down a home tie against Canada in February, and it seems Anderson has cut ties. Now they go into Poland against one of the games rising stars (Janowicz), a capable backup (Kubot), and solid doubles team (Fyrstenberg/Matkowski). It'll be a real tough ask for DeVoest and Klaasen. POL 3 RSA 0
Netherlands at Romania: These teams met at this stage last year, and Romania is at home and fields their top team with Hanescu, Ungur, Copil, and Tecau but the Dutch have Haase, Sijsling, de Bakker, and Rojer. In theory, the Netherlands should win and I think they have too much firepower but I won't count the Romanians out. NED 3 ROU 1
Sweden at Ukraine: Dolgopolov joins the fold for Ukraine, joining Stakhovsky and 5th rubber hero Marchenko and this makes Ukraine a formidable team, especially at home. Sweden is punchless with Eriksson and Arvidsson, who I've really never heard of, so I'll give the Swedes the doubles but that's it. UKR 3 SWE 1
Americas Zonal Group I
Promotion ties (winners to World Group Playoffs):
Chile at Ecuador: Chile seems to stay at the top of their zonal group even after Massu and Gonzalez have moved on. I expect Capdeville and Aguilar should be able to handle Campozano and whoever. CHI 3 ECU 1
Uruguay at Colombia: Falla and Giraldo are in good form and while Uruguay often punches above their weight in Davis Cup, this would be a massive upset. COL 3 URU 0
Asia/Pacific Zonal Group I
Promotion ties (winners to World Group Playoffs):
Australia at Uzbekistan: This is an intriguing tie and the toughest zonal challenge the Aussies will have faced in years. They do field a full strength team of Tomic, Matosevic, Hewitt, and Guccione to counter the Istomin (and Dustov) show. If the Uzbeks are to advance, Istomin must perform on the most heroic Davis Cup performances ever and he may be up to it but I think Hewitt/Guccione should be able to take care of the doubles. AUS 3 UZB 2
South Korea at Japan: Japan got the easier draw here by far, and even without Nishikori, should have no trouble at all with the Koreans. JPN 3 KOR 0
Relegation playoffs (losers will play a relegation tie in September):
Taiwan at China: Taiwan has trouble fielding their best players, Lu and Wang, so with Zhang and Wu, mainland China should cruise. Slower but surely, those latter two are climbing in the rankings. CHN 3 TPE 1
Indonesia at India: India is still in disarray but they have gotten Devvarman to show up so they ought to win this tie. Indonesia has a relatively decent player in Rungkat but they'll likely be outgunned. IND 3 INA 1
Europe/Africa Zonal Group II
Group semis (winners advance to promotion ties):
Finland at Ireland: Nieminen is playing too well right now and his second Heliovaara has shown up for Davis Cup. I think the Finns should be able to overcome the Irish at their home.
Latvia at Monaco: The principality fields a decent team with Balleret and Lisnard, but Gulbis is showing up so Latvia should prevail.
Moldova at Bosnia & Herzegovina: This is tough to call due to lack of overall knowledge of the supporting casts but I think Albot and Dubarenco (who I see in slam qualifying) can win over former junior slam champ Dzumhur as he plays without Davis Cup veteran Delic.
Lithuania at Portugal: Berankis is missing this tie so Portugal with Elias, Gil, Sousa, and Machado should win easily.
Relegation ties (losers are relegated to Zonal Group III for 2014):
Estonia at Bulgaria: Bulgaria is without Dimitrov and Estonia is without Zopp, but I think Bulgaria is deeper and they are at home.
Belarus at Tunisia: Jaziri and Ignatik are in action for their respective sides. I like Belarus though because they have Mirnyi as the ace in the hole for doubles, despite the tie being away.
Luxembourg at Hungary: The Huns are at full strength with young Attila and Fucsovics and Luxembourg is bringing in Muller. This could go either way but I've got to think Hungary is deeper.
Benin at Cyprus: Poor Benin can't get a home tie, and then Baghdatis claims he'll show. If he does, I hope the Beninese enjoyed their venture to Group II.
Americas Zonal Group II
Group semis (winners advance to promotion tie):
Mexico at El Salvador
Venezuela at Peru
Relegation ties (losers are relegated to Zonal Group III for 2014):
Puerto Rico at Barbados
Haiti at Guatemala
Asia/Pacific Zonal Group II
Group semis (winners advance to promotion tie):
New Zealand vs Pakistan in Myanmar - Pakistan is still suffering from ITF sanctions
Thailand at Philippines
Relegation ties (losers are relegated to Zonal Group III for 2014):
Sri Lanka at Lebanon
Syria at Kuwait
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