DAVIS CUP PREVIEW, PART II
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Czech Republic v. Italy
The Czech Republic and Italy are familiar foes in Davis Cup play, having faced each other ten previous times. The Czechs lead the series 7-3, but there has not been a meeting since 1995. The surface is an indoor hard court. Berdych and Stepanek lead the singles charge for the Czechs along with Rosol and doubles specialist Cermak. The Italians have Seppi, Bolelli, Starace and Bracciali on their roster. The Czechs were shocked by Kazakhstan last year in the World Group stage, blowing a 2-1 lead. Given the surface and experience of this Czech squad, they should roll.
The Czech Republic and Italy are familiar foes in Davis Cup play, having faced each other ten previous times. The Czechs lead the series 7-3, but there has not been a meeting since 1995. The surface is an indoor hard court. Berdych and Stepanek lead the singles charge for the Czechs along with Rosol and doubles specialist Cermak. The Italians have Seppi, Bolelli, Starace and Bracciali on their roster. The Czechs were shocked by Kazakhstan last year in the World Group stage, blowing a 2-1 lead. Given the surface and experience of this Czech squad, they should roll.
Prediction: Czech Republic.to Win, 4-1.
Serbia v. Sweden
A rematch of the World Group quarterfinals that saw Serbia crush Sweden, 4-1. The Serbs send Tipsarevic, Troicki, Bozoljac and doubles specialist Zimonjic into competition here on an indoor hard surface. The Swedes look completely over matched again with Ryderstedt, Bergman, Prpic and Lindstedt in action here. Cannot see past anything but another big Serbian win.
Serbia v. Sweden
A rematch of the World Group quarterfinals that saw Serbia crush Sweden, 4-1. The Serbs send Tipsarevic, Troicki, Bozoljac and doubles specialist Zimonjic into competition here on an indoor hard surface. The Swedes look completely over matched again with Ryderstedt, Bergman, Prpic and Lindstedt in action here. Cannot see past anything but another big Serbian win.
Prediction: Serbia to Win, 4-1.
Japan v. Croatia
Japan is making their first appearance in the World Group stages since 1985 and will fancy their chances here against Croatia. The surface is an indoor hard court. Japan sends out Nishikori, Soeda, Ito and Sugita. Croatia counters with Dodig, Karlovic, Veic and Zovko. Nishikori who will face off against Karlovic in one of the opening ties. It's Dodig vs. Soeda in the other. The Japanese will be confident heading in here as Soeda beat Dodig in Chennai earlier this year. If Soeda can repeat that result to open, there will be a lot of presure on Karlovic to win or Croatia could be done quickly. Nishikori should have plenty of confidence as he played well on this surface at the ATP level last Fall with scalps on Berdych and Djokovic - even though he was less than 100 percent. Nishikori's return game may neutralize the good doctor. Both Dodig and Karlovic carry .500 or below Davis Cup records here, so I think with the stepped up quality of these Japanese players to start 2012, they have every shot to win here.
Prediction: Japan to Win, 3-2.
Germany v. Argentina
A battle on clay here with last year's runners-up in Argentina facing off against quarter finalists Germany. The Germans are down a man as their #2, Phillip Kohlschreiber is M.I.A. due to a gastrointestinal infection. That means this match-up lies in the hands of Florian Mayer, Phillipp Petzschner, Tommy Haas and youngster Cedric-Martel Stebe. The Argie charge is led with years of experience with Nalbandian, Chela, Monaco and doubles specialist Eduardo Schwank. Monaco, fresh off a clay court title already, opens against Petzschner. Monaco will be expected to lead Argentina to an early lead. That could lead the second singles tie between Mayer and Nalbandian to be a decisive one. Massive edge to Nalbandian who has played 27 singles rubbers in Davis Cup play with a record of 22-5 to Mayer's 4-5 record. Argentina should roll here.
Prediction: Argentina to Win, 4-1.
Japan v. Croatia
Japan is making their first appearance in the World Group stages since 1985 and will fancy their chances here against Croatia. The surface is an indoor hard court. Japan sends out Nishikori, Soeda, Ito and Sugita. Croatia counters with Dodig, Karlovic, Veic and Zovko. Nishikori who will face off against Karlovic in one of the opening ties. It's Dodig vs. Soeda in the other. The Japanese will be confident heading in here as Soeda beat Dodig in Chennai earlier this year. If Soeda can repeat that result to open, there will be a lot of presure on Karlovic to win or Croatia could be done quickly. Nishikori should have plenty of confidence as he played well on this surface at the ATP level last Fall with scalps on Berdych and Djokovic - even though he was less than 100 percent. Nishikori's return game may neutralize the good doctor. Both Dodig and Karlovic carry .500 or below Davis Cup records here, so I think with the stepped up quality of these Japanese players to start 2012, they have every shot to win here.
Prediction: Japan to Win, 3-2.
Germany v. Argentina
A battle on clay here with last year's runners-up in Argentina facing off against quarter finalists Germany. The Germans are down a man as their #2, Phillip Kohlschreiber is M.I.A. due to a gastrointestinal infection. That means this match-up lies in the hands of Florian Mayer, Phillipp Petzschner, Tommy Haas and youngster Cedric-Martel Stebe. The Argie charge is led with years of experience with Nalbandian, Chela, Monaco and doubles specialist Eduardo Schwank. Monaco, fresh off a clay court title already, opens against Petzschner. Monaco will be expected to lead Argentina to an early lead. That could lead the second singles tie between Mayer and Nalbandian to be a decisive one. Massive edge to Nalbandian who has played 27 singles rubbers in Davis Cup play with a record of 22-5 to Mayer's 4-5 record. Argentina should roll here.
Prediction: Argentina to Win, 4-1.
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