Spain is definately the most complete team in Davis Cup. If Rafa plays (and he is at his best) they are almost unbeatable. This time they have been a bit unlucky to face Canada in the first round.
Let’s not be too dramatic, the Europeans are still the hot favorites in this tie, but facing a team that has Raonic playing in his country may become a bit tricky. In fact, you will definately expect that the Canadians will not choose the clay court (unless they get completely mad) to favour a faster surface to help their most representative player (hard indoor?).
From Canada
Strange enough the Canadian team Captain Martin Laurendeau doesn’t think the Spaniards will be tricked by the surface as “The Spaniards win everything from clay to grass, to indoors to outdoors,” he said “They’re good and they have the depth to really not be fooled by any kind of surface.” (well… we are sure he won’t chose clay courts anyway)
“We’ve just got to be sure we pick the surface and the conditions that really will help to help maximize our No. 1 player,” Laurendeau said. “He’s obviously shown that he can beat a lot of top players. If we were to play in Spain, they would for sure play us on clay, even if it’s indoors. Now we have the opportunity to play on a surface that suits our game a lot more. We can control that, so that’s the reassuring part.”
From Spain
Then it was time for Alex Correja, the Spanish captain to comment “Canada was one of the strongest rivals we could have gotten, not only for the quality of a team led by Milos Raonic but also because we’ll have to play as visiting team just one week after the Australian Open, which means another long trip and time change,” he said. “It will be a complicated tie.”
Raonic is a difficult player, but to be honest even a “Nadal-less” Spain is expected to defeat a “Canada-full” Raonic.
What about Switzerland – Czech Republic?
This is an interesting one. Usually Roger doesn’t play the early rounds (not talking about this year’s disaster with team USA ), but this time there is Berdych.. his dear “friend” that crashed him out in the recent US Open. If Roger doesn’t play this tie and Tomas does the Swiss Team is doomed. Otherwise if the Maestro plays, his team may have a slight edge as Stepanek is expected to lose both matches and Roger has to win 1 match between the super-clash with Berdych and the doubles (to be honest Roger and Stanislas are not playing well together anymore).
Roger’s call.
The Draw
Canada – Spain
Italy – Croatia
Belgium – Serbia
USA – Brazil
France – Israel
Argentina – Germany
Kazakhstan – Austria
Switzerland – Czech Republic
Semifinals Prediction
Spain – Serbia (If Nole plays)
France – Czech Republic (If Roger doesn’t play)
Winner Prediction: Spain… who else?
