In the immediate wake of the U.S. Open, the proverbial fall swing begins with Davis Cup World Group semifinal action in Belgium and France. Nick Kyrgios and Australia are traveling to face David Goffin and the Belgians, while France is hosting a Serbian side that is without Novak Djokovic.
Australia vs. Belgium
Where: Brussels, Belgium
Surface: Indoor clay
Australia: Nick Kyrgios, John Millman, Jordan Thompson, John Peers
Belgium: David Goffin, Steve Darcis, Ruben Bemelmans, Arthur De Greef
This should be a good one, especially compared to France vs. Serbia. The Belgians have home-court advantage, the No. 12 player in the world in Goffin, and Davis Cup master Steve Darcis. Australia is countering with Kyrgios, capable second singles players in John Millman and Jordan Thompson, and half of the top-ranked doubles team in John Peers.
No rubber is an absolute lock, but it should be 1-1 after day one. Although Goffin may be less than 100 percent physically, he is a considerable favorite against Millman. As amazing as Darcis is in this competition, there is no reason why Kyrgios should lose to him under any circumstances. With Peers, the Aussies should have an edge in the doubles tilt. That would bring up a massive fourth rubber between Goffin and Kyrgios. If the Belgian prevails, the stage would be set for more Darcis Davis Cup heroics, this time at the expense of Millman—or Thompson.
Pick: Belgium 3, Australia 2
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Serbia vs. France
Where: Lille, France
Surface: Clay
Serbia: Dusan Lajovic, Laslo Djere, Nenad Zimonjic, Filip Krajinovic
France: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Lucas Pouille, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Nicolas Mahut
Serbia lifted the Davis Cup trophy in 2010 and finished runner-up in 2013, but this is by no means the same team in the 2017 semifinals. Most notably, of course, Djokovic is out for the year with an elbow injury. Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic are also absent. The only well-established in this week’s lineup for the visitors is doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic.
That is especially bad news for the Serbs because they are going up against the deepest nation in men’s tennis. With 10 players in the top 100, France could probably win this tie with it’s “E” team—and certainly with it’s “A,” “B,” “C,” or “D” team. Well, the “A” team is on board, as top two French players Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille are in the lineup. Throw doubles stars Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Hebert into the mix and what you’ve got is an outrageously lopsided matchup.
Pick: France 3, Serbia 0
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Yes, looks like France will have a very good shot at the DC Cup after how many years? And really with a weaker team than they usually field.
I’m going With Australia to win. Nick’s interview sounded like he’s actually interested for a change. Of course that could change in a hurry. Add that to Goffin’s possible lingering injury and I think the Aussies could come out on top.
That’s why I think they’ll win. He obviously wasn’t physically 100% vs Millman in NYC. But I think it’s a lot having to do with mental. As in now that he’s at Davis Cup, he will likely be quite motivated as he usually is at Davis Cup.
3-0 France and 3-1 Australia but if Aussies lose dubs, Darcis probably won’t lose in a decider to Millman.