Davis Cup 2012 Preview (World Group)

The 2012 Davis Cup will be the 101st renewal of the prestigious international tennis tournament which sees teams from various nations compete over a series of rounds to be crowned overall winners at the end of the calendar year.

Champions of the Davis Cup emerge from the ‘World Group’, the highest level or ‘league’ of the Davis Cup format and it is Spain who will be seeking to defend their title when the action gets back underway on February 12.

Fifteen other nations will be standing in Spain’s way of a repeat success and it is Kazakhstan who will have the unenviable task of trying to topple Rafael Nadal and co in the first round.

The bookmakers certainly appear to be underestimating the Spanish title defence and punters can generally get a huge 7/1 about a repeat success for the Iberians.

This seems extremely generous considering that Spain should breeze through the first round and quarter-finals where they will face off against either Russia or Austria.

France, who are 7/2, potentially await Spain in the last four and that is a match which both nations will already be thinking about.

But whilst the French have strength in depth via the likes of Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet, it is Spain who have the real quality in the shape of David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro who form sturdy back up to lead man and multiple Slam champion Nadal.

On the other side of the draw, it is Argentina and Serbia who catch the eye. Argentina, spearheaded by 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro, lost out in the 2011 final to Spain and they will be keen to go at least as far this time around.

Like Spain, they should secure a trouble free passage through to the semis and the 5/1 on offer is a fairly decent price if punters are confident that they can go one better. They also possess the added bonus of specialist doubles player Eduardo Schwank who will be vital to their success as the tournament reaches the latter stages.

But it is Serbia who are all set to be the main challengers to Spain’s title thanks largely to World No.1 Novak Djokovic.

Permitting that Djokovic elects to participate for his team throughout the campaign, Serbia will be extremely formidable opponents to the reigning champions and all other nations seeking to impress.

Backed up by the talented, reliable and versatile Viktor Troicki, Djokovic can lead Serbia towards regaining the title which they won in 2010 and restoring their position as the leading tennis nation in the world.

With Sweden up first for the Serb’s and the Czech Republic likely opponents in the last eight, progress should be smooth if a little tested which will enhance Djokovic and Troicki’s partnership when a big clash against Argentina arrives in the semis.

It is hard to get away from the value offered on Spain at 7/1 however in reality it is Serbia who are probably worthy of being favourites looking at the draw and their potential to succeed centring around the imperious Djokovic.

Backers can be advised to have a small cover bet on the Spaniards but the 3/1 about Serbia could well pay the biggest dividends come the showpiece final in November 2012.

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06/02/2012     © Frixo 2024