WHILE we released our group-by-group previews over the past week, we have developed a full Davis Cup Finals preview with how the teams got here, where they are ranked and who we think might win it.

DAVIS CUP WORLD RANKINGS: HOW THEY GOT HERE

Under the new Davis Cup format, qualifiers were played back in February to determine the final 12 teams to compete at the Madrid event. Last year’s top four – 2018 champions Croatia, runners-up France, and semi-finalists USA and Spain all automatically qualified, while Argentina and Great Britain were handed wildcards to the event as the most recent champions that had not already qualified (ie. Croatia and then 2017 champions, France). That left 24 teams to fill out 12 spots, with the favourites mostly winning, though there were four upsets with Colombia sweeping Sweden, Netherlands defeating Czech Republic, Russia knocking off Switzerland and Chile defeating Austria.

1 FRANCE (A) – 2018 R/UP
2 CROATIA (B) – 2018 CHAMPS
3 ARGENTINA (C) – WILDCARD
4 BELGIUM (D) – defeated Brazil 3-1
5 GREAT BRITAIN (E) – WILDCARD
6 USA (F) – 2018 SF
7 SPAIN (B) – 2018 SF
8 SERBIA (A) – defeated Uzbekistan 3-2
9 AUSTRALIA (D) – defeated Bosnia & Herzegovina 4-0
10 ITALY (F) – defeated India 3-1
11 GERMANY (C) – defeated Hungary 5-0
12 KAZAKHSTAN (E) – defeated Portugal 3-1
13 CANADA (F) – defeated Slovakia 3-2
14 JAPAN (A) – defeated China 3-2
15 COLOMBIA (D) – defeated Sweden 4-0
16 NETHERLANDS (E) – defeated Czech Republic 3-1
17 RUSSIA (B) – defeated Switzerland 3-1
18 CHILE (C) – defeated Austria 3-2

WHICH TEAM SHOULD BE HERE BUT IS NOT?

Switzerland. It is well renowned that Switzerland rarely plays its best side for the qualifiers with Roger Federer and Stanislav Wawrinka‘s massive schedules. Coming off the Australian Open, Switzerland named a second string side that went down to a full strength Russian outfit. Czech Republic is the other side that should be attending the Davis Cup Finals, but a bad weekend back in February saw the 2012-13 back-to-back champions eliminated.

WHO HAS THE MOST DAVIS CUP TITLES?

It will be a surprise to no-one that the United States have the most titles of any nation with 32. In fact, for the greater part of three quarters of a century, four nations dominated the competition. Australia, Great Britain and France joined the US as every title winner from the inaugural 1900 until 1974, when South Africa finally broke the drought. Australia has 28 titles, with France and Great Britain on 10-apiece. Over the last 45 years, Sweden (seven titles) and Spain (five titles) have been the most successful with the US (seven) and Australia (five). Other nations competing at the 2019 Davis Cup Finals that have won a title are Germany, Russia, Croatia, Italy, Argentina and Serbia. The latter three have sole titles with Argentina (2016) and Serbia (2010) coming in the past decade.

HOW IS THIS FORMAT DIFFERENT TO THE REGULAR DAVIS CUP?

Traditionally, the Davis Cup format is two reverse singles – four all up – and a doubles. This was the format for teams to qualify into the Finals. The Finals will see them play two singles and one doubles total. The change is designed to reduce the players’ workload throughout the year, because previously the Davis Cup was a knockout tournament that started in February featuring the top 16 nations and progressed throughout the year before the final was held in November between the two remaining sides. The new format means all nations play at the one venue, giving spectators a chance to see the world’s best players in action.

However the new format has been met with heavy criticism for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it takes away home court advantage aside from one nation. With the event played in Madrid, Spain will have home court advantage, whereas previously, it could have taken place anywhere in the world depending on the nations competing. Last year, Croatia upset France in Lille, reversing the result from two years earlier when Croatia went down to Argentina at Zagreb. Patriotic fans loved getting up and about in the stands to cheer on their nation and knew they had a 50 per cent chance of seeing them. Secondly, the other major criticism is that the format change, which takes away five-set matches which were some of the all-time classic games, and instead replaced them with best-of-three sets which has never gone down well with the public. That, and the fact the Cup tie can be wrapped up in a Day, it is the equivalent of cricket fans being told a Test Series has been replaced by a Twenty20.

WHO IS THE TEAM TO BEAT?

France would be favourites heading into the tournament, though there are plenty of possibilities throughout, including reigning champions Croatia, and home court favourites Spain – both of whom have landed in the same group.

WHO ARE THE UNDERDOGS?

There are three sides that will be watched closely and they are Serbia, Australia and Italy. The reason for each is very different such as, the Novak factor, X-factor and the other, experience. But all three nations are a good chance at upsetting the apple cart.

WHO MIGHT STRUGGLE DESPITE THE RANKING?

The two wildcards – Argentina and Great Britain. The South American nation still has some consistent talent, but under the new format of just three games, could suffer against a team with two top-end stars. Great Britain won its title a few years ago when Andy Murray was in his prime, singlehandedly taking the nation to the title, winning both singles and a doubles with his brother Jamie. Given Andy’s time off, it is hard to see him having the same impact so the Brits may struggle – though they have been handed an easy group.

WHO ARE THE TEAMS MAKING UP THE NUMBERS?

Japan and Colombia are the two weakest teams when it comes to singles strength, and with a win in the singles required to progress, it is hard to see either side moving past the group stage. Chile is not much better, though handed a group with Argentina and a Germany side missing its best player, at least there is more of a chance there. Russia could be thrown in the same boat, but with Daniil Medvedev‘s form this year, he could just as well win and carry his side up – though he landed in Rafael Nadal‘s Spanish group which would have hurt.

HOW ARE THE SINGLES DECIDED?