Building up to The Davis Cup

The Tennis Equivalent of The World Cup – The Davis Cup is reaching it’s exciting stages where the teams can almost taste the champagne or in case of Serbia’s 2010 win can sense they are about to lose some hair.  It has been going  for 114 years and remains the largest annual team competition in world sport, with 122 countries taking part. It can also be a welcome change for the players to take part in a team sport from the often lonely world of individual competition. For the uninitiated here is the format – In the World Group and World Group playoffs, each elimination round, or tie, is contested in a best-of-five match format. Davis Cup play consists of five matches played over three days: two singles games on a Friday, a doubles match the next day and two singles matches Sunday. The first country to win three matches wins the tie.

With that out of the way and the draw for quarter finals already done and dusted – Here’s a brief analysis of the matchups

1 – France vs Czech Republic . Venue – Trinec, Czech  Republic.

The 5th seed take on the 3rd seed in this matchup to be played on Hard Courts which was expected considering how their main man Tomas Berdych is most effective on that surface. Partnered by Radek Stepanek who can be called a doubles specialist and youngster  Jiri Vesely who recently broke the internet with his win over the seemingly unbeatable Novak Djokovic along with Lukas Rosol whose claim to fame is still THAT win over Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon, The Czechs will be looking to beat a French side which looks much stronger on paper atleast. With the likes of Tsonga, Gasquet, Simon, Monfils etc – The French are almost spoilt for choice (subject to the availability of players). Their backups are pretty decent too – Julien Benneteau, Nicolas Mahut, Benoit Paire, Pierre Herbert (one to watch out for. A future star in my opinion) and others will look to step up to the plate if needed.

Big Match – Has to be Berdych vs Tsonga (if both players play) Probably the match that settles the tie.

Prediction – On paper France definitely has an upper hand but you simply can’t count out  the unpredictable Czechs with the home advantage. Still going to stick with France. Merci.

2 – Italy vs Argentina. Venue – Pesaro, Italy.

Italy have been the surprise package this tournament. Nobody expected them to drub Switzerland the way they did and that surely would have been a morale booster for the side. Next up for them are Argentina who I hope have Del Potro and Juan Monaco available for the tie because the Italians have some serious firepower with Fognini, Bolelli and Seppi. The surface I am guessing would be clay to play in the hands of Fognini who is at his best on this surface and Seppi. But taking the Argentine side lightly would be a huge mistake since they are not seeded above Serbia for nothing. Leonardo Mayer has shown some good form in absence of stalwarts Del Potro and Monaco and might play a very crucial role in this tie.

Big Match – Mayer vs Fognini (provided Del Potro and Juan Monaco don’t turn up)

Prediction – Argentina if they have the services of Del Potro and Monaco. If not – Italy. Tricky tie this one

3 – USA vs Croatia. Venue – To be announced.

Two sides that were not expected to be here to be honest. Both USA and Croatia took out the more fancied sides in Australia and Belgium respectively. This one can probably be labeled as the – Clash of The Underdogs. But don’t expect anything less than an absolute belter of a match. There are so many quality players on show here. For USA  – You have the Bryan Brothers who are the greatest doubles team of our times along with big serving John Isner  and World No.24 Jack Sock. Croatia on the other hand will heavily rely on Marin Cilic to take them through but they also have one of the brightest young stars in Borna Coric and doubles specialist Ivan Dodig. What a great opportunity for these two teams to make a run to the semis and then maybe the final?

Big Match – Bryan Brothers vs Cilic and Dodig. If the Croatians can win this match – The tie will probably be theirs to lose.

Prediction –  Gonna go with the not so fancied side in the battle of the underdogs – Croatia.

4 – Great Britain vs Serbia. Venue – Belgrade, Serbia.

This is the Big One. Probably the most anticipated match of the tournament. The defending champs Great Britain take on 7th seed Serbia on clay. Yes. Clay. I was as surprised as you are at the choice of surface considering how Novak Djokovic (who is expected to turn up for the marquee clash) has almost been unbeatable on Hard Courts. Could it be a case of playing on the opposition’s weakness than your own strength considering Andy Murray who is the main man for Great Britain is also pretty good on hard courts but not as good on clay. Don’t let Murray and Djokovic distract you though. There are a lot of good players on show such as Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot for the Brits and Viktor Troicki for the Serbian side.

Big Match – Do I even need to say it? Murray vs Djokovic it is. Clash of two of the so called Big 4 of our sport. Also probably the tie Serbia will bank on to provide them a win.

Prediction – Djokovic might win the big match but Davis Cup isn’t about one match. Great Britain look a better overall side and I expect them to take this one by the scruff of the neck.

Mouth Watering matches, aren’t they? And you thought it was all about Individual Pride in Tennis.