Davis Cup Preview: Which teams can survive without their stars?

Last November, we saw the Davis Cup format at its best when Argentina and Croatia played a thrilling, five-match final before a raucous home—and away—crowd in Zagreb. Three months later, we’ll see the downside of that same format: an eight-tie first round that features just one member of the world’s Top 14. Among the missing is Juan Martin del Potro, who led Argentina to its first-ever Cup title in November. If the Delpo-less Argentines lose to Italy—a real possibility—their long-awaited reign will have been a short one.

Over the years, there has been a lot of talk about changing the Davis Cup schedule to avoid absurdities like that. Maybe a loss by the Argentines will finally spur some action. Until then, though, we’ll go with what we have: a weekend of tennis that will be about survival more than anything else. And drama, too—that’s always guaranteed with Davis Cup, whoever happens to be playing.

Here’s a quick look at each of the eight opening-round ties that will begin on Friday. It will be interesting to see which countries can get through without their star players, in the hopes that they’ll rejoin their teams later in the year.

Italy vs. Argentina
*Buenos Aires, Argentina

Clay*

No Delpo for the Argies, and no Federico Delbonis, either. The Italians, meanwhile, bring their full arsenal, such as it is: Fabio Fognini, Andreas Seppi and the ageless—well, he’s 35—Paolo Lorenzi. But Argentina won with depth last year, and they’ll still have two heroic role players from their 2016 campaign in Guido Pella and Leonardo Mayer.

Czech Republic vs. Australia
*Melbourne, Australia

Hard*

Nick Kyrgios thinks a home Davis Cup tie on hard courts could be good for his health, and he should get an opening-day win over 157th-ranked Jan Satral. But how his teammate, Jordan Thompson, does against Czech No. 1 Jiri Vesely could determine the outcome of this tie. Might we see Radek Stepanek, winner of Cup-clinching matches past, come in for a fifth rubber?

France vs. Japan
*Tokyo, Japan

Indoor hard courts*

After the first round last year, France looked like what they often look like: the favorites to win the Cup. They have the depth, but they have a hard time keeping everyone healthy and interested for an entire season. Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon and Mahut-Herbert in doubles should be enough to get them past a Japanese team without Kei Nishikori.

Russia vs. Serbia
*Nis, Serbia

Indoor hard courts*

Like Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic could use a pick-me-up after the Australian Open, and a home Davis Cup tie should be just what the tennis doctor—or spiritual doctor—ordered. Djokovic will start against 63rd-ranked Daniil Medvedev, but things could get more interesting if and when he faces heavy-hitting youngster Karen Khachanov on Sunday.

Belgium vs. Germany
*Frankfurt, Germany

Indoor hard courts*

Alexander Zverev, who is still young enough to feel obligated to play first-round ties, will be one of the stars of the weekend. He’ll lead a well-stocked German team— which also includes Philipp Kohlschreiber and Zverev’s older brother, Mischa—against a Belgian squad that will have to make do with 143rd-ranked Arthur de Greef in place of 11th-ranked David Goffin.

Switzerland vs. USA
*Birmingham, Ala.

Indoor hard courts*

The U.S. will bring its best—Jack Sock and John Isner—against Switzerland’s third and fourth best, Marco Chiudinelli and Henri Laaksonen. The big question for the Americans: How will they do without Bob and Mike Bryan playing the doubles rubber for the first time in more than a decade? According to the pre-match lineup (which could change), Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey will try to fill their shoes.

Great Britain vs. Canada
*Ottawa, Canada

Indoor hard courts*

No Andy Murray and no Milos Raonic gives us a tie that opens with Dan Evans vs. Denis Shapovalov. But that hardly means the weekend is meaningless. Whoever can make it out alive might be rewarded with the services of their big names later in the season.

Spain vs. Croatia
*Osijek, Croatia

Indoor hard courts*

You can’t really blame Croatia’s No. 1, Marin Cilic, for sitting this one out after the heartbreaker he lost in the final to Argentina last November. But his absence will make the home team’s road a long one: Frank Skugor and Ante Pavic will take on Roberto Bautista Agut and Pablo Carreño Busta in singles, while the Lopez brothers—Feliciano and Marc—wait in doubles.