Despite their failure to make it past the quarter finals last season in the World Group of Davis Cup Tennis, Serbia are the favourites to take the title in 2013. The tennis event, which only consists of four rounds in the World Group (the top level of the competition), takes in the first round at the start of February, the quarter finals in April, the semi finals in September before the final clash in mid November. So a long, protracted tournament for tennis fans, with matches consisting of four singles matches and one doubles. The participating nations this year are Spain, Czech Republic, Argentina, Serbia, France, USA, Croatia and Kazakhstan.
Serbia are ranked fourth for the 2013 edition of the Davis Cup and following the announcement late last year that the current world number one on the men’s ATP Tour, Novak Djokovic would be participating for Serbia, immediately the odds on them were trimmed. What usually happens in the earlier rounds is that squad players get their turn, with major stars of the world game,because of busy schedules, getting called up later in the event. But Djokovic wants a full role in the 2013 Davis Cup and will automatically boost the team. He sat out their quarter final match against the Czech Republic last season, only watching as his country lost 4-1.
It is the Czech Republic who are the defending champions and the second seed for the 2013 Davis Cup. Their team of Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek got the job done in a narrow 3-2 victory over Spain. That was the Czech Republic’s second Davis Cup title and they have been in two of the last four finals of the event. But it is the strong Spanish team which will be one of the clear front runners in the tournament. Not only do they have an experienced Davis Cup team, they also play their home matches on clay court, giving them a huge advantage as they excel tremendously there.
It was a combination of world number five David Ferrer along with Nicolas Almagro, Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez who nearly took them to another title last season. Spain were winners of the 2011 Davis Cup and have been in three of the last four finals, winning two of them. In the last twelve editions they have taken five titles and finished runners up twice. So there will be a lot of backing for Spain, especially when they get the all important home ties. The Spaniards are the top ranked team for the 2013 Davis Cup tournament.
Outsider interest could well come France, Argentina and the United States. Argentina powered their way to the semi finals last season, before running into the Czech Republic. They have the massive presence of world number eight Juan Martin del Potro in their side, who has a great Davis Cup record and truthfully carries them a bit. Backed up by Juan Monaco they could still be strong again in 2013 as they go in search of their first ever title.
The United States were also semi finalists last season, suffering defeat against Spain on the clay of Gijon. The United States have a well balanced Tennis team, despite perhaps lacking a big gun like Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer or Jaun Martin del Potro. They do have the record breaking doubles pairing of Bob and Mike Bryan to call on though and with John Isner and Ryan Harrison participating, they could be a strong contender. Dark horses France have quality in their ranks, with Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils to call upon, amongst others. They last reached the final in 2010, but haven’t lifted the title since 2001.
Serbia are ranked fourth for the 2013 edition of the Davis Cup and following the announcement late last year that the current world number one on the men’s ATP Tour, Novak Djokovic would be participating for Serbia, immediately the odds on them were trimmed. What usually happens in the earlier rounds is that squad players get their turn, with major stars of the world game,because of busy schedules, getting called up later in the event. But Djokovic wants a full role in the 2013 Davis Cup and will automatically boost the team. He sat out their quarter final match against the Czech Republic last season, only watching as his country lost 4-1.
It is the Czech Republic who are the defending champions and the second seed for the 2013 Davis Cup. Their team of Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek got the job done in a narrow 3-2 victory over Spain. That was the Czech Republic’s second Davis Cup title and they have been in two of the last four finals of the event. But it is the strong Spanish team which will be one of the clear front runners in the tournament. Not only do they have an experienced Davis Cup team, they also play their home matches on clay court, giving them a huge advantage as they excel tremendously there.
It was a combination of world number five David Ferrer along with Nicolas Almagro, Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez who nearly took them to another title last season. Spain were winners of the 2011 Davis Cup and have been in three of the last four finals, winning two of them. In the last twelve editions they have taken five titles and finished runners up twice. So there will be a lot of backing for Spain, especially when they get the all important home ties. The Spaniards are the top ranked team for the 2013 Davis Cup tournament.
Outsider interest could well come France, Argentina and the United States. Argentina powered their way to the semi finals last season, before running into the Czech Republic. They have the massive presence of world number eight Juan Martin del Potro in their side, who has a great Davis Cup record and truthfully carries them a bit. Backed up by Juan Monaco they could still be strong again in 2013 as they go in search of their first ever title.
The United States were also semi finalists last season, suffering defeat against Spain on the clay of Gijon. The United States have a well balanced Tennis team, despite perhaps lacking a big gun like Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer or Jaun Martin del Potro. They do have the record breaking doubles pairing of Bob and Mike Bryan to call on though and with John Isner and Ryan Harrison participating, they could be a strong contender. Dark horses France have quality in their ranks, with Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils to call upon, amongst others. They last reached the final in 2010, but haven’t lifted the title since 2001.