Davis Cup Quarterfinals Preview

My day job is really busy right so I don't have time for a full write-up on the upcoming Davis Cup ties, but here's my predictions.  The World Group presents real opportunity for some countries that often have little success in this competition.

World Group Quarterfinals

FRA 3 GBR 2 - This tie probably comes down to the doubles, and I like Mahut plus someone against likely Inglot/J.Murray, plus there's a small chance Murray could lose to Tsonga.

AUS 3 KAZ 1 - Kyrgios should be great at home on grass and Hewitt/Groth will be tough be beat in doubles.  But the Aussies have often disappointed in Davis Cup while the Kazakhs have surprised so an upset isn't out of the question.

ARG 3 SRB 2 - This could be a sneaky good tie, and most the rubbers are tossups but somehow it feels like we'll find a way to a live 5th rubber, where I tip Argentina at home, where Berlocq could come off the bench for more heroics against Krajinovic or possibly Tipsarevic.

BEL 3 CAN 1 - With Raonic and Pospisil both injured, the Belgians won't let this opportunity get away.

Europe/Africa Zonal Group I

Promotion ties:

RUS 3 ESP 1 - Russia sends Spain to Siberia (literally - tie is in Vladivostok (smart move) and figuratively) as their young guns Khachanov and Rublev have drawn singles duty vs Robredo and Andujar.  Experience could very well win here but Spain has been awful in C-team road ties.

AUT 3 NED 2 - Melzer off the bench in a live 5th rubber? Why not?

ROU 3 SVK 1

UKR 3 POL 2 - Dolgopolov and Stakhovsky will be tough to beat, even in Poland

Relegation tie:

ISR 3 SLO 1

Americas Zonal Group I

DOM 3 ECU 1 - One more feather in the cap of Victor Estrella, getting Dominican Republic to the World Group...yes you read that right, what a story!

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group I

UZB 3 KOR 1 - South Korea rising but Istomin too good

IND 3 NZL 1

Europe/Africa Zonal Group II

Promotion semis:

TUR def. BLR
POR def. FIN - Nieminen says goodbye to Davis Cup (maybe)
BIH def. HUN
BUL def. LUX - Dimitrov shows up, Muller does not

Relegation ties:

IRL def. RSA - oh how the mighty have fallen (without Anderson of course)
MAR def. MON
ZIM def. MDA - this tie in Zimbabwe and neither Albot nor Dubarenco has showed up
LAT def. MAD - Gulbis not here

Americas Zonal Group II (don't know enough)

Promotion semis:

VEN at ESA
MEX at CHI

Relegation ties:

CRC at PUR
BOL at PER

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group II (don't know enough)

Promotion semis:

PHI at TPE
PAK def. INA

Relegation ties:

SRI at LIB
KUW at IRI

Europe Zonal Group III (already underway)

Pool A: CYP (no Baghdatis) vs GRE
Pool B: EST vs MNE
Pool C: MKD vs NOR
Pool D: GEO vs MLT