2021 Davis Cup Finals nation preview: Russia
IN November, the 2021 Davis Cup takes place across three cities in Europe as 18 teams aim to lift the ultimate international men’s team prize. Six groups of three sees the group winner automatically advancing to the knockout quarter finals, with the two next best nations also moving through. In the lead-up to the event, Rookie Me Central will be previewing each of the nations in reverse world ranking order.
RUSSIA
Rank: 13th
Captain: Shamil Tarpischev
SQUAD
GROUP FIXTURES
Group A:
vs. Ecuador | November 27
vs. Spain | November 28
Forget world rankings, the 13th ranked Russia is one of, if not the genuine favourite for the upcoming 2021 Davis Cup finals. The European nation has been the booming nation alongside Italy in recent years, and with the side jam-packed full of talent – including two Top 10 stars – it is hard not to imagine Russia going deep in the competition. They will blow away Ecuador easily in the first game, and potentially allow the lower ranked Aslan Karatsev and Karen Khachanov a go in singles, who are still ranked inside the Top 30 themselves.
They will take no chances against Spain however, with the reigning champions always a threat despite no Rafael Nadal. The reliable combination of Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut provides two Top 20 players, with the exciting and dangerous Carlos Alcaraz set to be a fixture in this team for the next decade and a half. From Russia’s perspective, they have US Open inner Daniil Medvedev and two of the bolters this season in Andrey Rublev and Karatsev, as well as specialist doubles talent Evgeny Donskoy.
Considering how weak Ecuador is, there is a high chance that both Russia and Spain progress to the next stage, with the two highest ranked second teams making it. In that scenario, the highest ranked one will face off against another second runner-up in their quarter final, whilst the second placed side in this group will ultimately have to come up against an equally talented Canadian outfit. Regardless, expect Russia to move through to the next stage, likely as the group-toppers.
Prediction: 1st in Group A
IN A SENTENCE: “Russia is a stacked group of talents all inside the Top 30, with two Top 10 players including the most in-form star in the world.”
~
Picture credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
~
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 […]
Argentina surges into Davis Cup Finals
AFTER losing on day one to Canada, Argentina surged into the 2024 Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga after back-to-back wins the past two days. The South American nation went down to Canada on day one, but fortunately managed to win the doubles on that day which kept them alive. They then knocked off host […]
Czech mate: Aussies win Davis Cup tie 3-0
AUSTRALIA has one foot in the knockout stages of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals after whitewashing Czech Republic 3-0 in the green and gold’s second group stage match overnight. Following on from a nail-biting 2-1 result against France, the Australians had it far easier against a wounded Czech side who once again saw Tomas Machac […]
Evans ties nation record as Brits beat Finland
GREAT Britain was able to rest two of its top stars and still get the job done against Finland on day two of the 2024 Davis Cup overnight. The passionate Manchester crowd got behind veteran Daniel Evans playing his 26th match in the blue, white and red, equalling the second most all-time record with Mike […]
