CZECH REPUBLIC value to complete Davis Cup hat-trick

The Davis Cup gets underway on Friday (31st) with 16 teams in the World Group aiming to be crowned champions and for the first time since 2008 Great Britain are among them.

The market is headed by Switzerland at 3/1 (TOTESPORT/betfred) who possess the Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka. The price is too short as the Swiss do not have Federer and we have no idea how Stan will cope with the dual demands of Davis Cup action and Grand Slam competition.

France are 9/2 (GENERAL) joint second favourites and with four top 40 players (Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Gael Monfils and Julien Benneteau) and a decent draw the French have to be highly respected and I was between them and the Czechs as my selection. Also available at 9/2 (sportingbet/888 SPORT/unibet) are Spain who have dominated the Davis Cup in recent times with five victories since 2000. Injuries to Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer though put them under pressure in their opener as they take on Germany. The team I like the look of is the Czech Republic at 6/1 (GENERAL). The Czechs open against Japan before facing either Canada or Japan, none of whom should present too many problems. The Czechs have won this event the last two years and I think they have the potential to complete the hat-trick. Berdych showed in the Australian Open he is in good form while the likes of Stepenak and Rosol are experienced players in this format. While France, Germany and Spain battle for one semi spot, the Czechs have a nice route to the last four.

Argentina are 20/1 (sportingbet) and they have to be respected after reaching the semi-finals last year, which is also where they exited in 2012 and the year before they were beaten finalists. The South Americans will be difficult opponents though I think players like David Nalbandian have seen better days while key man Juan Martin del Potro will miss the Italy tie. SKYBET and paddy Power are going 25/1 that the USA lift the trophy for the first time since 2007. In Bob and Mike Bryan the Americans do possess the number one doubles players in the world which always guarantee them at least a point. It is the singles though where they may fall down as John Isner and Sam Querry are solid if unspectacular. Serbia are next at 33/1 (888 SPORT/unibet) as they look to gone one better then when they finished second last year. It is hard to see them doing so though as Djokovic seems unwilling to play this year while Tipsarevic is injured and it looks tough for them to even make it out of the opening battle with favourites Switzerland.

Canada are 33/1 (TOTESPORT/betfred) chances and after reaching the last four last year could be dangerous, though the Czech Republic stand in their way.

Italy at 40/1 (SPORTINGBET) look worth an each-way interest. The Italians are up against an Argentina side missing Juan Martin del Potro in the opener. Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi are both good players who are developing and they could go deep this year. Great Britain are 50/1 (SPORTINGBET) and to stand any chance of progressing they will need Andy Murray to win both his singles games and take the doubles. This looks a tough ask even for someone as talented as the Scot and it will be a surprise if they register a win.

Of the games this weekend I think value could come in backing Kazakhstan to see off Belgium as they have home advantage in a venue that is tricky to play at. Two quarterfinals in the last three years saw that Kazakhstan are not merely here to make up the numbers.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Czech Republic to win Davis Cup, EW, 6/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Italy to win Davis Cup, EW, 40/1 (SPORTINGBET)
BRONZE: Kazakhstan to beat Belgium, best available price.

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31/01/2014     © Frixo 2026