Switzerland v Czech Republic
Venue: Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland
Surface: Indoor hard
Surface: Indoor hard
The Swiss have not made it beyond the first round of the World Group
since 2004 and the last time these teams met in 2007, Stepanek defeated
Wawrinka in straight sets in the decisive rubber. With both sides
missing key singles members, it could all come down to the doubles.
Switzerland: Stanislas Wawrinka (17), Marco Chiudinelli, Michael Lammer, Henri Laaksonen
Czech Republic: Tomas Berdych (6), Lukas Rosol (73), Jiri Vesely, Ivo Minar
Belgium v Serbia
Venue: Spiroudome de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium
Surface: Indoor clay
Surface: Indoor clay
Belgium won its only meeting with Serbia in 2005 when a young
Djokovic lost both his singles rubbers, one of them to Rochus. They will
meet again this year with almost certainly a different outcome but,
with Tipsarevic injured, this may be a less straightforward tie than
expected for the 2010 winners.
Belgium: David Goffin (50), Steve Darcis, Ruben Bemelmans, Olivier Rochus
Serbia: Novak Djokovic (1), Viktor Troicki (39), Nenad Zimonjic
Canada v Spain
Venue: Thunderbird Sports Centre, Vancouver, Canada
Surface: Indoor hard
Surface: Indoor hard
Spain has won the Cup five times this century, in 2000, 2004, 2008,
2009 and 2011, and has been runner-up four times, including last year.
However, Spain is more vulnerable than in many years, missing its top
players Nadal, Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Lopez—and topped by a
last-minute withdrawal with injury by Nicolas Almagro.
Canada: Milos Raonic (15), Vasek Pospisil, Frank Dancevic, Daniel Nestor
Spain: Marcel Granollers (34), Marc Lopez, Albert Ramos, Guillermo Garcia Lopez
Italy v Croatia
Venue: Palavela, Turin, Italy
Surface: Indoor clay
Surface: Indoor clay
Croatia beat Italy in both previous meetings, in 2001 and 2008, and
the Italians have not won a World Group tie since 1998, when they went
all the way to the Final. But although Croatia is playing in the World
Group for the fifth straight year, their line-ups suggest this will be
as close as the previous two meetings.
Italy: Andreas Seppi (18), Fabio Fognini (44), Paolo Lorenzi, Simone Bolelli
Croatia: Marin Cilic (13), Ivan Dodig (59), Antonio Veic, Mate Pavic
USA v Brazil
Venue: Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, USA
Surface: Indoor hard
Surface: Indoor hard
The two countries have not met for 13 years, a victory to the USA,
and although the Americans are the most successful country in the
history of Davis Cup, they have not reached the final since 2007.
However, with one of the strongest squads in Round 1 and home territory,
they should have no trouble reaching the quarters, and perhaps further,
this year.
USA: John Isner (16), Sam Querrey (20), Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan
Brazil: Thomaz Bellucci (36), Thiago Alves, Marcelo Melo, Bruno Soares
France v Israel
Venue: Kindarena, Rouen, France
Surface: Indoor hard
Surface: Indoor hard
France is under the new captaincy of Arnault Clement and has the best
line-up in Round 1, even without Gilles Simon. They have won the title
nine times, most recently in 2001, and have been runners-up seven times,
including in 2010. This tie should be no problem, and the breadth and
depth of the French squad make them dangerous throughout the draw.
France: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (8), Richard Gasquet (10), Julien Benneteau (38), Michael Llodra
Israel: Dudi Sela, Amir Weintraub, Jonathan Erlich, Andy Ram
Argentina v Germany
Venue: Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Surface: Outdoor clay
Surface: Outdoor clay
Argentina has a 6-2 lead over Germany and they also met at the same
stage of the competition last year: Juan Monaco and Nalbandian led
Argentina to a 4-1 victory. Though the hosts have reached at least the
quarterfinal stage in each of the last 11 years, advancing to three
finals, they have never won. Without del Potro, they could have a
struggle on their hands—thought the home clay will help their cause.
Argentina: Juan Monaco (12), Horacio Zeballos, Carlos Berlocq, David Nalbandian
Germany: Philipp Kohlschreiber (19), Florian Mayer (28), Tobias Kamke, Christopher Kas
Kazakhstan v Austria
Venue: National Tennis Centre, Astana, Kazakhstan
Surface: Indoor clay
Surface: Indoor clay
Austria reached the World Group quarterfinals last year for the first
time in 17 years by beat Russia, then fell to Spain. Home advantage and
clay courts may give Kazakhstan the edge but it’s hard to see either
team getting through the next tie against Switzerland or the Czech Rep.
Kazakhstan: Mikhail Kukushkin, Andrey Golubev, Evgeny Korolev, Yuri Schukin
Austria: Jurgen Melzer (30), Andreas Haider-Maurer, Alexander Peya, Julian Knowle
