In Malaga on the horizon and throne conquered by Canada the last course as a goal, the Davis cup will enter its decisive phase with some of the top rackets on the circuit in contention, especially the new number one and new United States Open champion Novak Djokovic but with great losses, at the last minute, as in the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz or the Italians Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berretini.
The absence of Alcaraz disappointing in a head-to-head opportunity between two of today’s best players. A new clash between the Murcian, Wimbledon champion, and Novak Djokovic in the rivalry set for this group stage between Spain and Serbia in Valencia. The challenge between the two, a reality until the last few days, is the big incentive of the group stage, the poster image of the show that will be held from Tuesday to next Sunday, in four places and where the eight . the stars of the Final Phase of Malaga will appear, in November.
Bologna, Split, Manchester and Valencia are the tournament’s host cities temporarily paralyzing the circuit’s intensity and shifting competitive activity to the world’s premier team event that will resume. without the Russian teamwhich was intended for the second edition followed by the invasion of Ukraine.
The set of Daniel Medvedevthird in the world, or Andrey Rublev, eighth, Russia’s main asset, champion two years ago, tops the crowded list of players on the Davis Cup sidelines for various reasons. Some are by their own decision, due to specific issues, such as Canadian Felix Auger Aliassimethe Italians Jannik Sinnersixth in the world, and Matteo Berrettini or the American Taylor Fritzninth.
Others were left with no option to be a part of the event due to the premature elimination of their teams. Like Denmark with Holger Runefourth tennis player on the circuit, or the Norwegian Casper Ruudfifth, the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipasseventh and German Alexander Zverevtwelfth.
However, they add luster to the group stage of the competition, in addition to Djokovic, other relevant names throughout the season such as the Canadian. Denis Shapovalovthe Italians Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonegothe Chilean Nicholas Jarrythe British Andy Murraythe swiss Stanislas WawrinkaThe Spanish Alejandro Davidovich and Roberto Bautista or the American Frances Tiafoetenth player in the world.
Djokovic returned to represent Serbia in the Davis Cup. This is the first time since 2021. The last time he led the Balkan team, they failed to reach the final in a tight rivalry with Croatia. Now he is back to lead his team to glory again as he did in 2010, the only victory in this tournament for the Serbian team. Now, thanks to the victory in New York that brings his list of great victories to twenty-four, more than anyone in the history of men’s tennis and equal to the legend Margaret Court, he strengthens his national team in the team tournament.
Serbia starts as the favorite of Group C. The top two in each quartet will advance to the Final Eight. The Balkan team led by Viktor Troicki is aiming to qualify for the third time in the last four years. The Nole factor and the loss of Alcaraz in Spain made the situation unbalanced. The Balkans and the Spaniards aim to take the two places they qualified for and the Czech Republic and South Korea are also hoping for.
In addition to Djokovic, Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic, Dusan Lajovic and Nikola Cacic they make up the Serbian team. In Spain, the loss of Alcaraz destroys the expectations of the team David Ferrer, who debuted as captain. Alejandro Davidovich and Roberto Bautista leads the team they are in as well Bernabé Zapata, Marcel Granollers and Albert Ramosinstead of Murcian.
Spain is a regular at the final stage of the Davis Cup, which it has won six times, the last in 2019, the first in the current format.
The Czech Republic With Jiri Lehecka and Tomas Machac as reference, they aim to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016 and South Korea will face their second appearance in this section of the Davis Cup.
He Group A It is based in Bologna, at the Unipol Arena, with a balanced quartet. The current champion, Canada, and one of the countries with the most diverse rackets in recent times, Italy. Sweden and Chile complete the poster.
The casualties mark calls for North American and transalpine teams. And the call of Leo Borg, son of the legendary Bjorn Borg, for the first time in Sweden, is another attraction of the event. Without Felix Auger Aliassime, key to the success of 2022, Frank Dancevic’s team is supported by Denis Shapovalov. Then, Gabriel Diallo, Vasek Pospisil and Alexis Galarneau.
In the local team, with only one title, in 1976, but in a generation full of talent, Filippo Volandri was left without Sinner and without Mussetti. Captain Filippo Volandri gave responsibility to Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego. Matteo Arnaldi, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli joined the group.
Sweden, far from the glory of the long season, has adapted to the new format and is regular in the round of 16. Johan Hedsberg’s team includes inexperienced players. Only Elias Ymer and Andre Goransson have experience. But Borg, Karl Frieberg or Filip Bergevi have no history in the tournament.
Chile completes the quartet. Nicolás Massu’s team are looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. Nicolas Jarry leads the way. Winner this year in Santiago and Geneva, he leads a team that also has the experience of Cristian Garín and Alejandro Tabilo, team regulars, as well as Marcelo Tomás Barrios and Gonzalo Lama.
He Group B It was played at the AO Arena in Manchester and included, in addition to the host team from Great Britain, Australia, France and Switzerland. It is a balanced quartet between four countries that have been champions in the past. Twenty-eight times Australia, ten times Great Britain and France. Switzerland achieved this in 2014.
The ocean team is supported by the talent of Alex de Minaur and is waiting for the combination of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson, finalist in Hertogenbosch. Thanasi Kokkinakis and Matthew Ebden complete the list of the aforementioned.
The host team will rely on the experience of Andy Murray, who once again leads the quintet selected by Leon Smith although Cameron Norrie and Daniel Evans are on hand for the singles.
France, far from the first line after the victory obtained in 2017, has Ugo Humbert and Adrian Mannarino as its best rackets, outside the top thirty in the world. Arthur Fils and Edouard Roger Vasselin, together with Mahut, complete Sebastian Grosjean’s national team.
Switzerland has only one title. He is looking to regain his weight in the tournament with the return of a veteran, Stanislas Wawrinka, 38 years old. Severin Luthi also called up Marc Andrea Huesler, Dominic Stricker, Leandro Riedi, who is making his debut, and Alexander Ritschard.
The last quartet, the Group D, It will be played at the Arena Gripe Sports Center in Split, along with Croatia, the Netherlands, the United States and Finland. At home, Croatia are boosting their chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals for the third time in a row. Semifinalist last year, he has Borna Gojo, debutant Dino Prizmic, Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic in Vedran Martic’s team without Borna Coric.
The Netherlands intends to repeat, at least, the role of last year when it qualifies. Tallon Griekspoor is their main weapon in singles along with Botic Van de Zandschulp. Gijs Brouwer was called up for the first time and Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop completed Paul Haarhuis’ team.
The United States, despite the absence of Taylor Fritz, started as favorites in the group. Thirty-two times winners of the trophy, although the last in 2007, Bob Bryan’s team relies on Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul. In addition, Mackenzie Mc Donald, Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram shine with North American potential.
Finland completes the quartet. Aim for the quarterfinals for the first time. Debutants in the Finals, Jarkko Nieminen’s team is Emil Ruusuvuori the main argument. Otto Virtanen, Patrick Kaukovalta, Harri Heikovaara and Patrik Niklas Salminen round out the five selections.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
