ARGENTINA has landed in a favourable ATP Cup group to likely defy its odds of qualifying for the next stage. Though ranked third in Group D, the South American nation has the most depth of any of the four sides, so if the second singles and doubles can hold up, then they could well set up a semi-final clash with 2020 ATP Cup winners, Serbia.

2022 ARGENTINA TEAM:

Diego Schwartzman
Federico Delbonis
Federico Coria
Maximo Gonzalez
Andres Molteni

Argentina heads into the tournament with Schwartzman leading the charge, and the diminutive South American has the toughest job in the team. He will take on Stefanos Tsitsipas, Hubert Hurkacz and Nikoloz Basilashvili, and any wins in that trio all but guarantee Argentina of closing out the tie. Delbonis is ranked 44th in the world, far higher than anyone else in the group from a second singles perspective, and even world number 63rd Coria is better placed than his Greek, Polish or Georgian opponents.

It means that if Schwartzman wins his singles, then Argentina will quickly race to 2-0 unless there is a massive upset. Though even if Schwartzman does lose, then the South American nation still have the doubles to fall back on. World number 22 Gonzalez and world number 46 Molteni are far higher than anyone else in the group, with the other sides also likely to rely on their number one singles player to double up in that third match. If the doubles can play to their ability, their cohesion should be too much.

Though Tsitsipas can be dangerous wherever he plays, Argentina should have no problems with Poland or Georgia. The clash with Greece will be the big one, though the Argentinians depth should be enough, and the doubles will be crucial, with Tsitsipas only one man in that pairing, whereas the third ranked nation in the group have a certified Top 50 doubles combination. They will have their work cut out for them if they advance, likely coming up against number one seeds Serbia, but they would love to advance through to the knockout stage and have a favourable group to do so.

Prediction: 1st in Group D