Tennis ATP & WTA Week 9 (28/02/11)

Next week Davies Cup draws begin, below I'll analyse each tie.

Serbia Vs. India

No match at all. The reigning champions should fly past India with at max one loss in the doubles with Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi forming a formidable force. Somdev Devvarman shouldn't be a problem to any of the Serbian singles players.

4-1 to Serbia

UPDATE: Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the tie, just as India looked to have some hope I found out that their doubles team of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi are also out so really I'd say this could be a total whitewash at 5-0 to Serbia.

Sweden Vs. Russia

Sweden should have the edge here with Robin Soderling leading the singles and Simon Aspelin and Robert Lindstedt holding them up with the doubles. As long as Soderling wins both his ties Sweden should be safely through. The Russian team are weak rank wise but all 4 have the potential to make a shock win though I doubt this with Soderling's current form.

3-2 to Sweden

Czech Republic Vs Kazakhstan

Neither team have a strong doubles presence. This tie could be difficult as Tomas retired last week, will he be ready for this tie? Lets say Berdych is healthy then Czech Republic has the edge as he should be able to win both his ties.

3-2 to Czech Republic

Argentina Vs Romania

Argentina at home means Argentina is nearly sure of a win. Hanescu could threaten in the singles and Romania actually has a doubles player but all in all I think Argentina will overwhelm the Romanians.

4-1 to Argentina

Chile Vs USA

Is there really any point? Without Fernando Gonzalez Chile is nothing more than a Group 1 or even Group 2 side whilst the USA have former No.1 Andy Roddick, John Isner and the Bryan Brothers, no match at all, whitewash.

5-0 to USA

Belgium Vs Spain

Spain wants this that's why they are sending their best team with Nadal, Ferrer, Verdasco and Lopez. I may have considered Almagro, considering his form, over Verdasco though. I doubt the Belgians will have anything to give against this team, maybe they'll save face in the doubles.

5-0 to Spain

Croatia Vs Germany

Possibly one of the tougher ties in terms of rankings, however I think Croatia will win by 3 to 2. The German team can be very threatening to any of the good teams but I think Cilic and Dodig will muster at least 3 wins between them.

3-2 to Croatia

Austria Vs France

This could be a pretty interesting draw but I think with Simon and Gasquets recent form they should at least give France 2 wins in the singles, if not more. Melzer will be tough but not impossible to beat.

3-2 to France

On the WTA side not much is happening with only Jankovic and Schiavone bothering to go out this week. Dinara Safina will be at KL as well as Marion Bartoli - of course mentioning them both for different reasons.

UPDATE: Gasquet is out of the Davis Cup tie, Austria now has every chance of beating France as Gasquet's replacement is Jeremy Chardy - who I doubt will threaten Melzer.