Davis Cup QF picks, including Croatia vs. United States and Great Britain vs. Serbia

The Davis Cup World Group quarterfinals will begin at four spots around the globe on Friday. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are resting as Serbia hosts Great Britain, but Marin Cilic–who also made headlines at Wimbledon–is suiting up for Croatia’s trip to the United States. France, the Czech Republic, Argentina, and Italy are also hoping to earn spots in the semis.

Preview and predictions:

Croatia vs. United States

Where: Portland, Oregon
Surface: Outdoor hard

Something will have to give when Croatia and the United States tangle during quarterfinal action this weekend. Team USA features John Isner and the Bryan brothers, and it has home-court advantage, but Cilic positively owns Americans. In fact, he is 29-1 in his last 30 such matches. But the world No. 12 is also coming off a long fortnight at the All-England Club, where he lost to Roger Federer in the quarters after squandering three match points. Isner and the best doubles team of all time should be enough for the Americans to get the job done at home.

Pick: United States 3, Croatia 1

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Great Britain vs. Serbia

Where: Belgrade, Serbia
Surface: Clay

Murray and Djokovic are out, but this tie still holds plenty of intrigue–especially given that the winning side could get its top player back for the semis and final and become a real Davis Cup title contender. With Djokovic and also Viktor Troicki on the sideline, Janko Tipsarevic may be ready just in time to rescue Serbia. The veteran is finally back from multiple foot surgeries and although his results have been modest, they have also been somewhat encouraging. Great Britain boasts Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot in doubles, but its singles lineup may not be strong enough to survive a road tie.

Pick: Serbia 3, Great Britain 2

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France vs. Czech Republic

Where: Trinec, Czech Republic
Surface: Indoor hard

France has more depth than any other country in the world. The Czech Republic, on the other hand, has basically been a two-man show run by Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek for the better part of a decade. Unfortunately for the Frenchmen, the Davis Cup is not always about depth; you can win with just two players–which is pretty much what the Czechs did in 2012 and 2013. But with Berdych out, depth will most certainly be a factor this time around. France is simply too strong thanks to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Lucas Pouille, and by far the best doubles team in the world in Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Pick: France 3, Czech Republic 1

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Argentina vs. Italy

Where: Pesaro, Italy
Surface: Clay

Although no team is a slam dunk to win any of these ties, if one of the four is completely up for grabs, it is Argentina vs. Italy. The Italians have to be favored at home, but you never know what Fabio Fognini is going to bring to the table on any given day and even Andreas Seppi is unreliable. Argentina is not as powerful as it could be since Juan Martin Del Potro and Juan Monaco have been plagued by injuries, but Guido Pella is more than capable of winning a rubber–if not two. The fact that Fognini and Seppi are also very good at doubles should tip the scale in the host nation’s favor.

Pick: Italy 3, Argentina 1

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