IN the sixth and final preview of our Davis Cup group previews, we take a look at Group F. The group is in our opinion the strongest of the lot. In the sense that any of these teams could advance not just in this group, but in other groups as well. USA are technically the sixth seeds, but you could make a case for both Canada and Italy to progress through to the knockout stage.

Group F:

Canada
Milos Raonic
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Denis Shapovalov
Vasek Pospisil
Captain: Frank Dancevic

Italy
Matteo Berrettini
Fabio Fognini
Lorenzo Sonego
Andrea Seppi
Simone Bolelli
Captain: Corrado Barazzutti

United States
Taylor Fritz
Reilly Opelka
Sam Querrey
Frances Tiafoe
Jack Sock
Captain: Mardy Fish

Fixtures:

Monday, November 18 – Italy vs. Canada
Tuesday, November 19 – USA vs. Italy
Wednesday, November 20 – USA vs. Italy
Thursday, November 21 – Winner of Group F vs. Winner of Group D

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Preview:

Canada has been an improving nation over the past decade with now four players inside the top 100, three of which have been named in the North American nation’s Davis Cup line-up. Milos Raonic is the lowest ranked currently, but given he is a top 10 player on ability, he and Denis Shapovalov (15th) will be a tough combination to beat. Throw in 21st ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime and realistically the Canadians could get through the group stage. The doubles combination is the question mark with Vasek Pospisil ranked 444th in the format, but will not be called upon for singles so along with him, it is imagined he might team up with Shapovalov (49th), allowing Auger-Aliassime and Raonic to play singles. Regardless, Canada will have to win both singles to ensure victory because the doubles will be tough.

The favourites for the group might be the seeded USA, but Italy deserve the favouritism with Matteo Berrettini (8th ranked) and Fabio Fognini (12th) two key players in the Italians attack. Throw in Lorenzi Sonegeo (53rd) and Andreas Seppi (73rd) and the European nation is more than likely to trouble their North American opponents. Simone Bolelli is the specialist doubles player in the side, with the 82nd ranked 34-year-old to provide some great experience, tipped to team up with the equally spritely Fognini (32), Lorenzi (37) or Seppi (35). Indeed, the 23-year-old Berrettini must feel the odd one out with a nine-year difference between him and his next youngest teammate. Expect Italy to be the team to beat and could well progress beyond the group stage with them likely to be a title contender if all goes to plan.

While the United States are seeded, they have gone with an interesting five-team selection, picking predominantly singles players with Jack Sock the one player ranked higher in doubles compared to singles (121st in doubles). They could have opted to add the impenetrable duo of Bob and Mike Bryan, but instead go in with more flexible players and greater youth. Sam Querrey is likely the player to team up with Sock in the doubles as Querrey is the highest ranked doubles player in the American side (81st). Even without the top ranked John Isner, the Americans still have some serious talent at their disposal, with Reilly Opelka, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe all ranked inside the top 50. They might struggle against the top 20 combinations of Canada and Italy, but particularly in the doubles without too much experience there.

Prediction:

Italy defeat Canada 2-1
Italy defeat USA 3-0
Canada defeat USA 2-1

Italy to move on to the next stage and face Australia.