THE first of the Davis Cup ties running into the team events for the second half of 2021 take place from tonight, with a host of teams battling it out to earn World Group Playoff and World Group I Playoff honours. The way it works is that the 24 teams (12 matches) in World Group 1 will result in the eight highest ranked winners heading to the Davis Cup World Group Qualifiers, with the other four winners contesting a further knockout clash in November, where the two winners will also advance to the World Group Qualifiers, whilst the two losers will join the other 12 losers in the World Group I Playoffs. The same format occurs with World Group II, with the winners advancing to the World Group I Playoffs, and losers back to World Group II Playoffs.

This is the second of four articles over the next two days, to break down the clashes in each group, and each date.

>> PART 1 OF DAVIS CUP PREVIEWS

World Group II Playoffs:

Of the current World Group II matches played this year, the 62nd ranked Zimbabwe was able to stroll past China with a walkover to look at the World Group I Playoffs, whilst the same could be said for Chinese Taipei winning in the same fashion against Morocco. Two other matches were completed in March, with Poland defeating El Salvador 3-1 and Mexico winning against Bulgaria 3-1.

Switzerland vs. Estonia

It is somewhat disappointing to see the great nation of Switzerland all the way down in World Group II, but without the likes of Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka of late, the Swiss have had to rely on Henri Laaksonen (119th in the world) and Marc-Andrea Huesler (160th) to get them over the line. It should not matter regardless in this game, with 717th ranked Vladimir Ivanov the highest ranked Estonian and no doubles player within the Top 500. A 21-year-old by the name of Daniil Glinka is the second singles player for Estonia and it will be a great experience for them, but hard to see the nation getting close.

Tip: Expect Switzerland to wrap up the tie and give some of their teenage-listed talents a crack in dead rubbers.

Tunisia vs. Dominican Republic

A couple of lowly ranked nations in Tunisia (56th) and Dominican Republic (47th) do battle on hard court, with top Tunisian player Malek Jaziri named to play. When we say top, he is still ranked 272nd in the world, but the 37-year-old was once a Top 100 player and pretty consistent at that. He has experience on his side and will take on the top ranked opponent Roberto Cid Subervi (281st) in that clash. It is likely the 28-year-old Cid Subervi will do a lot of the heavy lifting throughout the tie, though Tunisia at home on hard courts should salute.

Tip: Not a battle of top ranked players, but Jaziri’s experience should see them win at least 3-2 if not 4-1.

Denmark vs. Thailand

The future of Danish tennis is on show for the Davis Cup with 18-year-old Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune set to play against Thailand and is a whopping 640 singles places higher than any other player named in the tie for either side. The question will be if he is still competing in his Challenger event – which got delayed – and if so it really evens the match up. The next highest Dane is August Holmgren, a 23-year-old ranked 905 in the world. Frederik Nielsen is a Top 100 doubles player which should help, whilst for Thailand, they only have one player named inside the Top 1000 – 767th ranked Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul – with everyone else 21-years-old or younger, and outside the Top 1000.

Tip: Denmark easily if Rune plays, and Denmark still fairly comfortably if he does not.

Slovenia vs. Paraguay

Slovenia might be ranked 50th in the world, but will look to take full advantage over the second lowest ranked Group II side in Paraguay. The South American nation is ranked at 65th in the world, and does not have a single ranked ATP Tour player. They have a couple of teenagers in Adolfo Daniel Vallejo and Martin Antonio Vergara Del Puerto – both just 17-years-old – as well as “veteran” 23-year-old Hernando Jose Escurra Isnardi. Slovenia has not brought its best to the tie for obvious reasons, with the top three players – lead by Aljaz Bedene – not competing. Instead, they will only have two fully ranked players themselves, with 688th ranked Tom Kocevar-Desman and 803rd ranked Matic Spec leading the charge.

Tip: Not exactly filled with top-end prospects, Slovenia should win at home given the complete unknown nature of Paraguay.

Barbados vs. Indonesia

The lowest cumulative clash between sides is the one between 54th ranked Barbados and 63rd ranked Indonesia. The clash itself will be in the picturesque Barbados on hard court, and in a complete clash of unknown proportions, will make for a fascinating contest. Of the nine players listed to take part in the tie, just one – Darian King – is actually ranked on the ATP Tour. The 351st ranked singles player should therefore win both his singles, and will likely play doubles too – ranked 292nd – to close out the tie. Indonesia have three players born this century with Justin Barki – the oldest of the trio at 21-years-old – named first, with 41-year-old Febi Widhiyanto, who is also the captain named in the quartet for Indonesia.

Tip: When in doubt, go the home nation and Barbados having King is a huge advantage and should win this one.

Picture credit: Garrett Ellwood/USTA