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 B to see which of the four nations might advance to the knockout stage in November.

NATIONS:

2nd. Australia
8th. Czech Republic
11th. France
17th. Spain

FIXTURE:

Sep 10: Australia vs. France
Sep 11: Czech Republic vs. Spain
Sep 12: Australia vs. Czech Republic
Sep 13: France vs. Spain
Sep 14: Czech Republic vs. France
Sep 15: Australia vs. Spain

TEAMS:

Australia: Alex de Minaur / Alexei Popyrin / Jordan Thompson | Max Purcell / Matthew Ebden
Czech Republic: Jiri Lehecka / Tomas Machac / Jakub Mensik | Vit Kopriva / Adam Pavlasek
France: Ugo Humbert / Arthur Fils / Adrian Mannarino / Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Spain: Carlos Alcaraz / Pedro Martinez / Roberto Bautista Agut / Pablo Carreno Busta | Marcel Granollers

BURNING QUESTION?

Can Australia’s representatives recent form on Tour transfer to the green and gold?

Twelve months ago, world number two Australia’s side would have looked okay without being damaging, but fast forward to 2024, and all three of de Minaur, Popyrin and Thompson are coming off either quarter finals or fourth round appearances at the US Open. They loom as the team to beat and should be right to get through, it will just be a case of whether de Minaur’s hip is right to go, and if Popyrin and Thompson can continue their ripping form. The fascinating watch will be over the doubles with Thompson and Purcell now having made two Grand Slam finals, which might incredibly mean world number three Ebden is left without a match.

PREDICTION:

On paper Australia has the most depth which considering the talent within the other three nations, is saying something. The big threat is clearly world number three Alcaraz who is essentially guaranteed wins when he plays, it will just be whether or not Spain can find another victory, and if he plays. France has some young talent for a chance, but no specialist doubles players which might prove a problem, while Czech Republic is the great unknown. Australia and one of Spain – if Alcaraz plays – or Czech Republic – if Alcaraz does not – should make it through.