It’s time for one of those tennis-writer’s specials, a quarterly column extolling the patriotic, time-tested, and all-around manly virtues of Davis Cup. Can I skip it this time? I like the event, of course, though I don’t think it’s sacrilege to admit that the sight of second-tier pros pummeling balls in ill-lit arenas while fans honk on kazoos and bang cowbells can seem a little . . . what’s the term? . . . bush league? I also tend to react badly when I’m told how much I should like something. Still, if I can find a way to see the Spain-Serbia tie tomorrow, which will be top tier all the way, I’m all over it.
What matters is that the passion of the players for the Cup is undeniable, and the drama of the matches they play for their countries is unparalleled, wherever those matches take place. This weekend, in which eight first-round ties will be contested, tennis fans will get to see players of all tiers—including world No. 1 Rafael Nadal—come in from the lonely cold of the tours and throw their lots in with their countrymen. Below are thumbnail sketches of what we might see.
Netherlands vs. Argentina
Wow, Argentina’s loss in the final last year really did take a toll. Now they host the Netherlands—who?—without the services of David Nalbandian, who is sick, and Juan-Martin del Potro, who is probably sick of hearing about last year’s Cup final. Instead, they’ll send Juan-Ignacio Chela, Juan Monaco, Lucas Arnold Ker, and the notorious and political Martin Vassalo Arguello into the cauldron of clay in Buenos Aires. Chela is an old pro, and Monaco is tough on clay. They should handle Thiemo de Bakker and Jesse Huta Galung (who?). Argentina: 4-1
France vs. Czech Republic
This one should be good. Everyone is accounted for on both the French team—Simon, Tsonga, Gasquet, and Llodra—as well as the Czech—Berdych and Stepanek. The tie will be played on carpet in Ostrava, which should make the opening matches, between Berdych and Simon and Stepanek and Tsonga, very competitive. The doubles, Hernych/Dlouhy vs. Llodra/Gasquet, is the wildcard and could be the decider. Czech Republic: 3-2
United States vs. Switzerland
A letdown, indeed—I really never thought Federer would pull out of this, especially for precautionary reasons. Maybe he doesn’t like being told how much he should love Davis Cup either. It could be competitive, if Wawrinka can beat either Roddick or Blake on the opening day. I don’t think he will. U.S.: 5-0
Chile vs. Croatia
You have to like the Croats in this one. It’s at home, on indoor hard courts—something tells me they’re going to be on the quick side—and they’ve got Cilic, Ancic, and Karlovic on hand. The Chileans are traveling sans Gonzo. Croatia: 4-1
Israel vs. Sweden
If you play a tie and only the cops are there to see it . . .
I didn’t realize Sweden was as dangerous as its authorities seem to think it is. They’ve decided the play their tie against Israel in an empty and well-guarded stadium—an overreaction, perhaps? You might not ever see it, but Johannson will begin against Levy, and Vinciguerra will face Sela. It’s a tricky tie to pick; none of the matches are set in stone, and there’s no home-court advantage. The million-dollar question: Which team plays better in an empty arena? Sweden: 3-2
Russia vs. Romania
Marat Safin may have one foot out the door, but he’s ready for a last DC run. He and Tursunov will go to Romania to play Hanescu and someone named Crivoli. The one foot still in the door should be enough to get the Russians through. Russia: 4-1
Austria vs. Germany
Let the Border War begin. The novelty here is that the tie will be held on Rebound Ace. I’m going to say that favors former Aussie Open finalist Rainer Schuettler and his teammate Philipp Kohlscheiber over the aging Austrian tandem of Koubek and Melzer. Germany: 4-1
Serbia vs. Spain
Finally, the one we must find a way to see. The Serbs appear to have come to Spain with the intention of rattling the home team. They’ve stated that they’re going to be as comfortable on this clay court as Nadal is, and that their players are peaking right now. This is what Davis Cup is all about. It’s just that I don’t see the tactic as the best way to rattle Nadal: He likes rising to, and putting down, challenges.
The tie can go in any possible direction. It will start slowly, with Ferrer playing Djokovic and then Nadal playing Tipsarevic. The Serbs will need the first one, and Djokovic did just beat Ferrer last week, though it was on a hard court. The doubles, as usual, is at once totally unpredictable and the key to the whole thing—Robredo and Lopez will play Djokovic and Zimonjic. If the Serbs make it to the third day and keep their line-up as is—no guarantee of that—Djokovic will have to face Nadal, on clay, in Spain, after having played two days in a row. That’s too big an ask. If the tie continues past that and finishes with Ferrer and Tipsarevic, your guess is as good as mine. Spain: 3-2