AFTER previewing each of the 18 Davis Cup Finals nations, Rookie Me Central will now preview each of the six groups to determine how the early stages of the tournament might go. We continue by taking a look at Group E, where Italy will look to advance to the next stage in front of home fans against USA and Colombia.
>> USA DAVIS CUP PREVIEW
>> ITALY DAVIS CUP PREVIEW
>> COLOMBA DAVIS CUP PREVIEW
GROUP E
Heading over to Turin, Italy where the ATP Finals were held, the home nation will be hoping to take down top group seed, and world number fives, United States. The Italians have loaded up on singles players but a late withdrawal to top ranked talent Berrettini opened the door to include Top 25 doubles veteran Bolelli. Ironically it might increase their chances of winning and having less pressure on the doubles, though losing a player of Berrettini’s quality can never be replaced easily.
The United States at least have the fourth ranked Ram at their disposal, with the 37-year-old taking over from the stranglehold that the Bryan brothers had for so many years in the national team. Unfortunately for Ram, he will likely pair with the 149th ranked Sock, and will hope to overcome the dominant Colombian doubles duo of Cabal and Farah. Isner and Opelka will look to impose with their serve, and Fritz is a solid talent, but whether or not they can match the likes of Sonego and Sinner is more unlikely than likely. If they can grab a singles win, then they will be in the box seat for the doubles, whilst against Colombia two singles wins are needed as to not rely on the doubles pairing.
Colombia will heavily rely on its doubles pairing of former world number ones Cabal and Farah. The only pair in the group who consistently play together, the cohesion of the duo will make it near impossible for the other nations to overcome them. Still ranked 10th in the world, they will certainly ensure Colombia comes away with a match win, but as for a tie victory, it is hard to envision. The two singles players of Galan (102nd) and Mejia (276th) are well below the Top 30 players in the other nations, and will be punching well above their weight. If they do cause a stunning upset, then it is game on with the doubles likely to fall their way.
PREDICTION:
1st Italy
2nd USA
3rd Colombia
Italy do double; Dutch fall short
ITALY is officially the back-to-back champion of the Davis Cup after successfully defending its title in Malaga overnight. The combination of Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner proved too good for brave Dutch pair Botic Van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor, winning in straight sets against their respective opponents to salute. Since being added alongside SInner […]
Australia goes Down Under Italy’s Davis Cup power
FOR A second successive year, Italy found what it took to upstage Australia in the Davis Cup, defeating the green and gold to move one win away from defending its 2023 title. While spearheaded by Jannik Sinner who steered the Italians to victory 12 months ago, former Top 5 star Matteo Berrettini showed the glimpses […]
Dutch dare to dream in Davis Cup
NETHERLANDS is through to its first ever Davis Cup final after defeating Germany 2-0 in a couple of tight three-set singles matches to reach the decider. The Dutch pair of Tallon Griekspoor and Botic Van de Zandschulp fought past German duo Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier to set up a grand finale against one of […]
Sinner steps up to steer Italy into Davis Cup semis
ITALY is two wins away from going back-to-back at the Davis Cup after coming from behind against a plucky Argentinian outfit. Following a surprise win by Francisco Cerundolo over Lorenzo Musetti, world number one Jannik Sinner had to step up, and step up he did. Sinner won his singles in convincing fashion before teaming up […]
Aussies upstage US after doubles shock move
AUSTRALIA is through to the 2024 Davis Cup semi-finals for a chance at redemption against Italy after taking down a star-studded United States lineup. The green and gold had the Malaga stadium pumping when Thanasi Kokkinakis stunned Top 25 talent Ben Shelton, and then the experienced doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson used […]
Germany charges into 2024 Davis Cup semis
GERMANY is on a mission to break a 31-year drought at the Davis Cup, and ticked off the first challenge with a victory over 2022 winners Canada overnight. The Germans last won a Davis Cup way back in 1993 during a golden era for the nation, winning three titles in a six-year span between 1988-1993. […]
Dutch dash dream Rafa retirement party
THERE was no room for sentiment from the Dutch at the Davis Cup Finals, with Netherlands sending off 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal by eliminating his Spanish side in the quarter finals. Going down to the deciding doubles tie, the experienced doubles talent of Wesley Koolhof worked well with Botic Van de Zandschulp against […]
2024 Davis Cup Finals preview
EIGHT nations will vie for glory in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals that kicks off overnight in Malaga. Headlined by reigning champions Italy with world number one Jannik Sinner named for his nation, the only element that tops it is the fact that 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will bid farewell to tennis at […]
2024 Davis Cup Final Eight nations confirmed
ALL EIGHT countries set to contest the 2024 Davis Cup have been confirmed, with the headline being Spain breaking Aussie hearts on the last day of the tournament. Despite resting world number three Carlos Alcaraz as well as former Top 20 player Roberto Bautista Agut, Spain manage to defeat Australia 2-1 on the final day […]
