Davis Cup Preview

The tours will convene in Indian Wells next week and then in Miami after that week, but this weekend the men are scattered to the far corners of the globe for Davis Cup ties, with World Group ties on 4 continents.  Here's my preview of the fun to come.

World Group

France at Germany: Last year's finalists have a tricky away tie to begin the '15 campaign and Gasquet has recently pulled out leaving Simon and Monfils available for singles duty against Kohlschreiber (who hasn't been great this year yet) and Becker.  The French are in-form and should present too much firepower unless Kohlschreiber is really able to step up on home soil.  FRA 3 GER 1

United States at Great Britain: This could be one of the better ties of the weekend with Murray (playing in Scotland) and Ward (who beat Querrey in the tie in San Diego last year) versus an out-of-form but experienced Isner and a red-hot but green in Davis Cup Young.  And then there's the possibility of a brothers battle in the doubles (Bryans vs Murrays).  Young isn't one whose track record encourages much faith but I'm going go with the US here because I think he can beat Ward in a live 5th rubber, which seems to be an almost certain eventuality giving 2 wins for Murray, Isner beating Ward, and the Bryans winning the doubles.  USA 3 GBR 2

Australia at Czech Republic: The Czechs are without their stalwarts Berdych and Stepanek for this tie but still have an able team with Rosol and Vesely against Tomic and Hewitt (after Kyrgios had to pull out).  This is one of the more even ties all around with every match somewhat of a toss-up.  Tomic comes in in good form (leading the ATP in quarterfinals in '15) and Hewitt is the Davis Cup veteran so I am going to pick a mild upset here.  Vesely won the title in Auckland but hasn't been good since, and the Aussies will also have Kokkinakis available.  AUS 3 CZE 1

Italy at Kazakhstan: The dreaded trip to central Asia awaits last year's semifinalists, where they'll meet a team that is very difficult to beat at home (just ask Wawrinka) and punches above their weight in Davis Cup.  The visitors have Fognini and Seppi, and remember Bolelli/Fognini won the Aussie Open doubles to go against stalwarts Kukushkin and Golubev.  On paper Italy should roll on easily but strange things happen in Kazakhstan in this tournament.  Still going to pick them though with Italy winning the doubles and Seppi getting it done in the live 5th rubber.  ITA 3 KAZ 2

Brazil at Argentina: Argentine tennis had seemed dead for awhile but was aroused in the South American swing with several players reaching quarterfinals.  Monaco isn't here but Delbonis and Berlocq are, not to mention L.Mayer.  Brazil counters with the in-form Souza and their doubles combo of Melo/Soares while Bellucci has been struggling.  Argentina doesn't lose often at home and that will be a big advantage.  Another tough tie to call, especially if you hand Brazil the doubles, but will go with the Argentines in another 5th rubber.  ARG 3 BRA 2

Croatia at Serbia: The world no. 1 will be in the house and the reigning US Open will not.  Croatia has a team of the future with Coric and Delic but Djokovic, Troicki, and Zimonjic will be too much.  This tie could get ugly, but I expect Coric to at least be competitive in his matches.  SRB 3 CRO 0

Japan at Canada: This tie features the only matchup between two top 10 players as Nishikori and Raonic are slates to battle on Sunday.  The tie comes down that match and the doubles, and Nestor has been suspect in Davis Cup doubles recently.  If Canada can will that, they'll likely have a two chances to close out the tie on Sunday, with Raonic or with Pospisil in his hometown.  Yet another live 5th rubber may be on the cards.  CAN 3 JPN 2

Switzerland at Belgium: So Federer and Wawrinka decided to rest on their laurels and send Marti, Bossel (never heard of him), Laaksonen, and Lammer against Goffin and Darcis.  This is the Belgians time to gloat and get the Swiss back.  I will give the visitors the doubles though.  BEL 3 SUI 1

Europe/Africa Zonal Group I

Denmark at Russia (winner to play Spain): The youngster Rublev may make his live singles rubber debut for Russia, who also have Kuznetsov and Donskoy against an outmanned and outgunned Danish side, although that could win the doubles with their no. 1 Nielsen.  RUS 3 DEN 1

Austria at Sweden (winner to play Netherlands): The Swedes are getting better after the loss of Soderling, and somehow managed to stay in Group I, and with the talented teen Ymer and Lindell plus their fine doubles team, have a chance against Haider-Maurer, the Melzer brothers, and Peya.  But it's going to take 2 big upsets to get this done, and I think they'll come up short, though it's possible with J.Melzer out of form (or just getting old).  AUT 3 SWE 2

Slovenia at Slovakia: Klizan and Lacko are at home against Kavcic, Zemlja, and some guys I don't know (no Bedene here).  This should be straightforward for the Slovaks.  SVK 3 SLO 1

Israel at Romania: Israel has said good-bye to one of their double specialists Ram and also Weintraub isn't here so they're relying on Sela to stymie Ungur, Copil, and Mergea/Tecau.  Israel often impresses in Davis Cup and Romania often disappoints but with home court and their good doubles I think they get it done, even beating Sela once to avoid a live 5th rubber.  ROU 3 ISR 1

Lithuania at Poland (winner to play Ukraine): Lithuania makes their Group I debut in Poland and there should be a battle of top 100 players Janowicz and Berankis.  The Poles have the ace in the hole with Matkowski for the doubles and Berankis has little support.  Even if he manages to beat Janowicz I can't see Grigelis beating Kubot in a live 5th rubber on the road.  POL 3 LTU 1

Americas Zonal Group I

Colombia at Uruguay (winner to World Group playoffs): Cuevas is the in-form player and he's at home but Colombia is better team with Cabal/Farah good in the doubles.  It would a heroic effort from Cuevas (one or both as Pablo's brother Martin is the Uruguayan #2).  I think this will get to a live 5th rubber but A.Gonzalez should be able to beat M.Cuevas.  COL 3 URU 2

Dominican Republic at Barbados (winner to play Ecuador): Yes these two tiny nations are in Group I and the winner will have a decent shot at making the playoffs.  King has been very good to get Barbados to this level (they make their Group I debut) with Lewis as his wingman but their up against a guy with a "new career" and his 1st ATP title recently under his belt in Estrella Burgos.  The Dominican #1 should be able to win 3 points to advance the visitors.  DOM 3 BAR 1

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group I

South Korea at Thailand (winner to play Uzbekistan): South Korea has some talented juniors including Hyeong Chung while the Thais keep getting older.  I like the Koreans here.

China at New Zealand (winner to play India): China wins because their simply better with Zhang and Wu against the Kiwi journeyman Statham and Venus also of course it should be noted the Venus did win a main draw match in Auckland earlier this year.

Europe/Africa Zonal Group II

South Africa at Turkey: Ilhan is in form and South Africa can't even seem to draw their B-team so the Turks shouldn't have much trouble advancing as South Africa (which turned down a World Group home tie a few years ago apparently due to lack of funding) continues to plummet down the Davis Cup ranks.

Belarus at Ireland: I expect Belarus to get through based on rankings but know very little about these guys

Morocco at Portugal: Sousa is showing up and it is in Portugal so the home side shouldn't have any trouble progressing

Finland at Monaco: Niemenen and Kontinen will both be in Monte Carlo to see the Finns through versus Balleret (who often features as a Monte Carlo wild card but is now ranked outside the top 350)

Bosnia & Herzegovina at Zimbabwe: An (non-North) African nation getting a home tie is a big story and Zimbabwe has a guy in Garanganga who often features in ATP qualifying events but Bosnia will be too big a hurdle to overcome with top 100 player Dzumhur and top 200 player Basic.

Moldova at Hungary: Moldova had their chance to earn promotion last year but they lost to Denmark, and now there is no Dubarenco alongside Albot.  Hungary has Fucsovics and home court so I believe they'll find a way to victory.

Madagascar at Luxembourg: To see a country like Madagascar at this stage of the competition is pretty amazing.  They'd probably even have a fair chance at winning over Luxembourg except that world no. 34 Muller is showing up.

Bulgaria at Latvia: I was salivating at a possible Dimitrov/Gulbis rubber when I saw this pairing but then alas, neither are playing.  That really gives me little idea as to what to expect except that Bulgaria's guys are way higher ranked.

Americas Zonal Group II

Costa Rica at Venezuela

El Salvador at Puerto Rico

Bolivia at Mexico

Peru at Chile: With 4 players in the top 250, Chile's run back to Group I begins now with Peru not having a player in the top 400

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group II

Lebanon at Taiwan: Lu is scheduled to make a rare Davis Cup appearance but Taiwan should be nowhere near this low with all their top 200 players.

Sri Lanka at Philippines

Iran at Indonesia

Kuwait vs Pakistan in Sri Lanka: Qureshi back out singles duty in Davis Cup action

Enjoy the play this weekend, and also marvel in Spain not being in action because of their relegation and subsequent bye.  I believe their success in Davis Cup was due not only to their top players but also managing to draw many home ties.  Now that has flipped and they were making road ties and it caught up to them especially when their top players refused to play.