NEXT week the 2024 Davis Cup Finals kicks off with the round robin portion of the tournament and in the lead-up to the event, we preview each of the four groups. In today’s preview, we analyse Group A to see which of the four nations might advance to the knockout stage in November.

NATIONS:

1st. Italy
6th. Netherlands
13th. Belgium
16th. Brazil

FIXTURE:

Sep 10: Netherlands vs. Belgium
Sep 11: Italy vs. Brazil
Sep 12: Netherlands vs. Brazil
Sep 13: Italy vs. Belgium
Sep 14: Belgium vs. Brazil
Sep 15: Italy vs. Netherlands

TEAMS:

Italy: Jannik Sinner / Lorenzo Musetti / Luciano Darderi | Andrea Vavassori / Simone Bolelli
Netherlands: Tallon Griekspoor / Botic Van de Zandschulp / Jesper De Jong | Robin Haase / Wesley Koolhof
Belgium: Zizou Bergs / Joris De Loore | Sander Gille / Joran Vliegen
Brazil: Thiago Monteiro / Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves / Joao Fonseca | Rafael Matos / Marcelo Melo

BURNING QUESTION?

Will Jannik Sinner play?

If Sinner goes on to win the US Open – or even play in the final that will take place two days before the tournament kicks off, will he be right to front up for the world number ones? Given Musetti and Darderi are more than capable singles players, and the doubles combination of Vavassori and Bolelli are good enough too, you would have to think Sinner would be a break glass in case of emergency, or just the one singles option.

PREDICTION:

Italy are strong favourites in the group, and should qualify with or without Sinner. However the one nation that could theoretically cause an upset is the sixth placed Dutch side. Griekspoor is ever the tricky player, and Van de Zandschulp is a very handy second singles talent too. With Haase and Koolhof among the best in the world, they have the chance to push the Italians. Both nations should be the ones through to the knockout stage.

Brazil have the supremely talented but raw Fonseca, though will not have enough depth to test the top two nations, while Belgium are essentially making up the numbers though Gille and Vliegen will give the doubles a shake.