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 last of four articles over the past two days, to break down the clashes in each group, and each date.

World Group II Playoffs:

>> WORLD GROUP II PLAYOFFS FIRST PART PREVIEW

Greece vs. Lithuania

A full-strength Greek side lead by world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas will host the 48th ranked Lithuania outfit on hard court. Greece is ranked 58th in the world, but has seldom had Tsitsipas available, with his younger brother Petros (730th) and Michail Pervolarakis (484th) the other singles players. They are a much younger side than the Lithuanians who realistically only have Ricardas Berankis (107th in the world) of note, and with Tsitsipas stepping up to the plate, it stops Berankis’ hopes of winning two singles, and likely having to pair up for the doubles.

Tip: Tsitsipas will likely play all three matches, teaming up with his brother in the doubles, and Greece should win 3-2 at a minimum, but are every chance of winning that second singles too.

Turkey vs. Latvia

The lowest ranked Davis Cup World Group II side in Latvia will hope to overcome their low ranking to defeat Turkey. Latvia are ranked 66th in the world compared to Turkey’s 51st, with neither side a particular powerhouse, but the home team favourites in this clash. Played on hard court, Ernests Gulbis will again be the sole Latvian with a chance of having a real impact, now ranked 196th in the world, but has far greater experience and could trouble most opponents on his day. He will need to do the bulk of the work for his side against a Turkish outfit that includes Altug Celikbilek (170th in the world) and Cem Ilkel (176th) who should take care of the second ranked Latvian, world number 671st Robert Strombachs.

Tip: Turkey to win comfortably at least 3-2, but more likely 4-1.

South Africa vs. Venezuela

The tightest match of the weekend in terms of world rankings, South Africa will host Venezuela with a key inclusion for the homes side. The 52nd ranked South African side will have rising talent Lloyd Harris out on the court, which thrusts them into overwhelming favourites. Venezuela’s top talent was Ricardo Rodriguez (591st in the world), with Luis David Martinez the top ranked doubles player at 101st. South Africa’s was Ruan Roelofse (787th), but Harris’ recent run to the quarter finals at the US Open has seen the 24-year-old rise to 31st in the world. He should win both singles and will likely pair with Raven Klaasen (24th in doubles) for the doubles, which means the home team should get up fairly comfortably against the 55th ranked Venezuelan outfit.

Tip: South Africa to win 4-1 in the contest, spurred on by Harris who is clearly above anyone else out there.

Picture credit: ATP Tour