Just when you thought it was safe to shut down the television and computer, log off Twitter and Facebook, raise the shades and maybe even step outside for a nice, deep breath—don’t. Stay right where you are. One of the more intriguing weekends of Davis Cup begins tomorrow with the World Group Semifinals and the World Group Playoffs.
And if you’re one of those woefully blinkered American countrymen of mine, inclined to think Davis Cup doesn’t matter, let me ask you this: How irrelevant or unimportant can it be if the two U.S. Open finalists are playing, and one of them isn’t even part of the headline act?
That’s right. Rafael Nadal will lead host Spain in a World Group Playoff battle with Alexandr Dolgopolov’s squad from the Ukraine. And did I mention that world No. 3 Andy Murray is also playing in the Playoffs? His Great Britain side plays at Marin-Cilic-less Croatia.
All in all, it’s pretty amazing that three of tennis’ vaunted “Big Four” are playing this weekend. The only member of the quartet who’s taking a pass is Roger Federer, even though Switzerland is also in action—hosting a Playoff against Ecuador, a nation that doesn’t have a singles player ranked higher than No. 295.
Spies tell me that Federer is at an undisclosed location, testing a new racquet with a 340-square-inch head. But never mind about that. Let’s focus on those who will be playing in the semifinals:
**Argentina at Czech Republic
<em>(Indoor hard; Czech Republic leads head-to-head, 4-1)</em>**