Davis Cup I - Quarterfinals Preview
This weekend sees the top eight teams in the world go at it, and we have scoop with the draw decided!
Chile vs. Austria
Antofagasta, Chile (clay)
Two of the more surprising quarterfinalists, both teams pulled off massive upsets in their opening round clashes - Chile against the top seeds Argentina in Buenos Aires, and Austria against the Germans in Germany. This time, however, it is the Chileans who get the home court advantage and play on clay for the second time this tournament. The Austrians, however, will be made to change their game after taking their tie in Germany on the hard courts. Both sides move into the clash relatively unscathed, but Chile will be have number two
Renato Varas enter under an injury cloud and his ankle may not be ready for two matches in as many days. The key player for the hosts will be
Jefferson Quezada who picked up victories in both singles rubbers against Argentina; accounting for Paolo Mandonna in four sets and Guillermo Crespo in five. Meanwhile,
Heinz Hainisch was key for the Austrians in Germany as he picked up wins against Max Eisenhauer and the tie-winner against Becker Haas. Bit of a lottery considering the cattle of the two teams, but I'll go for the home team.
PREDICTION: Chile 3-2 Austria.
(3) Russia vs. (6) Sweden
Moscow, Russia (indoor carpet)
Carpet isn't the preferred surface for many these days, but both teams managed to pull off tight first round victories on the surface in their home cities. Russia have made wholesale changes to their squad to face the Swedes; Gregor Gorshkov and Oleg Puder drop out for
Vladimir Gryzlov and doubles duo
Alexey Yarkin and
Sergey Malachenko. The 40-year old Gryzlov becomes the oldest man to play a World Group fixture after he was favoured over 17-year old sensation
Boris Denisov; but the teenager could come in for Sunday's reverse singles rubbers should the veteran fail dismally against
Henrik Henrikkson. The Swedes are, in all reality, lucky to be here after they came from 0-2 down against Switzerland in Malmö.
Linus Petrus has been relegated to the doubles with partner
Martin Moberg as fast riser
Bjorn Donaldson looks to capitalise on his finals appearance in the Challenger at Cordoba by joining Henrikkson. Sweden were lucky against Switzerland, and will find it much harder here.
PREDICTION: Russia 4-1 Sweden.
(5) Croatia vs. (4) United States
Umag, Croatia (clay)
How many teams can afford to exclude a player who just one week earlier claimed the Wimbledon crown? One, apparently, after
Darcy Cowan was relegated to an American alternate with French Open semifinalist
Dwayne Murdoch preferred over the world number five. The Americans are almost unbackable favourites to take the crown; they decimated Israel 5-0 back in March and look even stronger now with the French Open doubles champions joining world number two
Jason Hall and Murdoch in the team. Rick Henson saved the selectors a difficult decision after announcing himself unavailable; he took his match against Yitkhak Eban in the first singles rubber before teaming up with his brother to smash the team of Tal Cohen and Raz Teper. But one can't forget the Croatians either; they were immense in their 5-0 win over Romania, but rely heavily on
Miroslav Brdar who looks set for a three-match weekend.
Nilikar Midid also appeared twice against Romania (one a dead rubber), and will have to step up to the plate here as he gives up his doubles spot to face Hall and Murdoch head-to-head. If he fails dismally against Hall, the Croatians might be forced to shuffle the team around by moving
Ivan Cesljar to the reverse singles and
Adem Tadic to the doubles. Whatever happens, I can't see Croatia stopping the dominant Americans.
PREDICTION: United States 4-1 Croatia.
(2) Spain vs. Serbia
Marbella, Spain (clay)
Spain's 3-2 win over the Netherlands in May was deceptively close, and they come into this hotly anticipated tie as overwhelming favourites thanks to one man.
Daniel Paez Blanco hasn't lost on clay this season, and if Serbia are going to win they are either going to have to hand him his first loss or, more realistically, take the other three matches. There's no reason that can't happen;
Radivoj Daneu and
Danijel Micic are two superb players and both should win at least one singles match each. But even if the scores are 2-2 for the singles ties, the doubles remain a bigger issue for the Serbs as they only reluctantly paired Daneu with
Savo Petkovia's despite the potentially draining three matches the world number four will be made to have. Unless they fall behind 0-2, one wouldn't be surprised to see Daneu rested for Petkovia's usual partner
Dusko Milosevic in preparation for the reverse singles clash against Blanco. Spain will also have to do a bit of a shuffle;
Sanchez Emelio will play the first singles rubber before being replaced by
Sergio Joaquin in the reverse singles. Emelio will not be put to the test three times and should be finished by Sunday. I'd be unsurprised to see this finished before Sunday in any event with Blanco leading his side to victory.
PREDICTION: Spain 4-1 Serbia.
Other Fixtures
Asia/Oceania Zone Group II - 2nd round play-off
Malaysia vs. Oman
Pakistan vs. Hong Kong
Americas Group Zone II - 2nd round
Dominican Republic vs. Guatemala
Paraguay vs. Bahamas
Americas Group Zone II - relegation play-offs
Venezuela vs. Netherlands Antilles
Jamaica vs. Mexico
Asia Zone Group II - 2nd round
Philippines vs. Indonesia
Kuwait vs. New Zealand
Europe/Africa Zone Group II - 2nd round
Denmark vs. Moldova
Montenegro vs. Slovakia
Portugal vs. Cyprus
Algeria vs. Hungary
Europe/Africa Zone Group II - relegation play-offs
Ireland vs. Egypt
Slovenia vs. Finland
Lithuania vs. Georgia
Latvia vs. Bulgaria
Talk about a lop-sided draw. The bottom four would probably be worthy of semifinal matches, whilst only the Russians look remotely decent in the top half and even that is a stretch.
