Some of the usual suspects like Serbia and Spain are absent from the Davis Cup World Group semifinals this time around, but the last-four lineup in 2014 is still a blockbuster one—especially in terms of individual talent. Among the players in action this weekend are Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, and Gael Monfils, Czech Tomas Berdych, and Fabio Fognini of Italy.
Switzerland is a heavy favorite as it hosts the Italians, while France is set to entertain the Czech Republic in what has all the makings of a blockbuster, tough-to-call showdown.
Czech Republic vs. France
Where: Paris, France
Surface: Clay
Czech Republic: Tomas Berdych, Lukas Rosol, Radek Stepanek, Jiri Vesely
France: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Gael Monfils, Julien Benneteau
Two rounds away from its first Davis Cup title since 2001, France has the good fortune of hosting a third consecutive tie this year. This team knows good and well, though, that home-court advantage does not mean a free pass. The French trailed Germany 2-0 in the quarterfinals before storming back to take the next three rubbers. As for Tomas Berdych and company, they are hoping to continue a trek toward a third consecutive Davis Cup triumph.
Tsonga and Gasquet are the current singles nominations for France, with Monfils coming off a slightly longer fortnight in New York (Monfils beat Gasquet en route to a quarterfinal finish that included a five-set loss to Federer). All things being equal, Monfils would be a better choice for France based on current form and the surface. Still, playing at home and on clay should be enough for France to get past the two-time defending champions. It will only help that Berdych has not been on top of his game this summer.
Pick: France 3, Czech Republic 1
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Italy vs. Switzerland
Where: Geneva, Switzerland
Surface: Indoor hard
Italy: Fabio Fognini, Simone Bolelli, Andreas Seppi, Paolo Lorenzi
Switzerland: Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Marco Chiudinelli, Michael Lammer
Switzerland could not have asked for a better draw in 2014. It took advantage of a Serbia team that was without Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, and Viktor Troicki in the first round. Then it hosted Kazakhstan, which actually had a 2-1 lead over the Swiss before succumbing on the final day. It should not get any more difficult until a potential final against either the Czech Republic or France, because hosting Italy on an indoor hard court is an extremely advantageous situation for Federer and Wawrinka.
The Italians have three legitimate singles options as they eye their first Davis Cup final berth since 1998 (lost to Sweden). Although inconsistent, Fognini is by far Italy’s most talented player and has to be in the lineup due to the caliber of the visiting nation’s opponents. Fognini will be joined by Bolelli, who is ranked well below Seppi but upset Vasek Pospisil in New York prior to a brutal five-set loss at the hands of Tommy Robredo. This team would be good enough to compete at home on clay, but it should be one-way traffic for Switzerland at home.
Pick: Switzerland 3, Italy 0
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World Group Playoffs picks
Serbia at India: Serbia 3-2
Spain at Brazil: Spain 3-2
Argentina vs. Israel (in Sunrise, Fla.): Argentina 3-1
Colombia at Canada: Canada 3-1
Slovakia at United States: United States 3-0
Uzbekistan at Australia: Australia 3-0
Croatia at Netherlands: Netherlands 3-0
Belgium vs. Ukraine (in Tallinn, Estonia): Belgium 3-1
Comments and your own predictions are appreciated!
Im going for Croatia to beat Netherlands and Czech Republic to beat France. Sisjling especially is very beatable and Haase is hardly a formidable opponent for Croatia’s young guns. Cilic and Draganja have a great shot at the doubles too.
And I think France will bottle it. Berdych to beat Gasquet, Stepanek/ Vesely (Berdych?) to win the doubles and Rosol to beat Gasquet to clinch it.
all possible
But Rosol over Gasquet in France would be a shocker
It would be an upset for sure, but I just think asking a struggling Reechard to get his nation over the line in a deciding rubber of such importance is asking for trouble. I would rather place my faith in Monfils if I were in charge (and that’s saying something!)
Monf will play on Sunday if Gasquet loses to Berdych
Wonder if Simon was an option over Gasquet given recent performance by both and surface.
given that he isn’t even on the team, NOPE!
no, no?
#no
That’s what I was asking. Why isn’t he.
because of what just happened today
Gilles has a poor track record in Davis Cup matches. With most players it brings out the best in them. Not the case for Simon. Gasquet is the safer option.
he isn’t safer than Monf!
All the stars are aligned for Federer to finally add a Davis Cup win to his resume provided Stan does not prove to be the Weakest Link.
^^^
And thus elevate Davis cup to near Slam status!
yes, Swiss will win
France.
in Switzerland?
Why not? Stan crumbles in front of the home crowd and Roger will be tight as that will be his only chance at Davis Cup glory. Plus the Frenchies have a damn good team.
i mean it could be a good tie
but Swiss is the obvious favorite
Clement’s decision to choose Gasquet over Berdy has been vindicated. Missed the match. Anybody who watched, what happened to Berdy?
Berdych happened
Is it too late to change my prediction to France….
Less embarrassingly I thought Sisjling would crumble today and he didn’t let me down. It must be nearly time be hung up his racket
for the overall title or just vs. Czech?
Ricky,
That comment is too funny! LOL! I needed a good laugh today.
which
Just the tie. Stan and Fed I bring it home in Switzerland. Hopefully monfils wo be called to action for that. Could be a cracker
Swiss will win, but yes Monfils would be far better than Gasquet for that particular tie
All the talk of the final being in Switzerland on here led me astray. It’s in France is it not..?
My comment @ 11:18 pm was directed to your comment about Berdy @ 1:10 pm.
oh. Hahaha.
Ricky,
Sorry, I have to remember to mention the time of the post because the conversation is ongoing.
But that one just got me laughing so hard! Did you ever consider a career in comedy?
nny: It often takes a moment or two to fathom out some of the repartee!
I often wonder how newcomers or casual readers cope with all the backchat and in-jokes – particularly when Ricky and Hawkeye are firing salvoes at each other 😀
https://twitter.com/PseudoFed/status/511456150857191424
#Humb1e
Ricky whadup???!?!?!?!
A single link to a tweet is moderated? Have you upped your moderation filter criteria?
#FedXRevisited
looks like it!
#NotSure
#OneLinkTwoLinksRedLinkBlueLink
So Spain relegated. Good for Team Canada!
Spain loses its first DC tie on clay in over 15 years. Ouch.
Rafa and Almagro injured but Spain’s key guys haven’t participated all that much recently.
It’s been 12 months since Rafa played. Two years for Ferrer and Almagro and four years for Robredo.
Where were Feli, Ferrer and Verdasco for this tie (none of who went deep at USO). Along with Robredo, these four guys are all over 30 so I suppose that’s a consideration.
There’s more to this than meets the eye Methinks.
As far as Rafa goes, probably more pressure (not less) for him to participate to get Spain back to world group next year especially in the 1st round which is scheduled the week before IW and again just after the USO to qualify for the World Group.
#AllezFrance!!!
Stanford needs to rest for DC finals…
https://twitter.com/Tennis/status/510946680880250880
Poor Stanford.
^^^^^
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Geez Ricky you need to get on that. Feels like Roger-X all over again.