The Key Stats: Serbia v Czech Republic
Country
|
Serbia
|
Czech Republic
|
Current Ranking
|
2nd
|
1st
|
All Time Head To Head
|
5
|
6
|
Leading Player
|
Novak Djokovic
|
Thomas Berdych
|
Last Tie
|
Serbia defeated Canada (3-2)
|
Czech Republic defeated Argentina (3-0)
|
Best Result
|
2010 Champions
|
1980, 2012 Champions
|
Davis Cup Ties Played
|
51 (37W – 14L)
|
198 (122W – 76L)
|
This year’s showpiece final will be held from the 15th – 17th of November at the Belgrade Arena as Serbia hosts Czech Republic. Defending champions Czech Republic will be competing in their third final in five years, whilst Serbia returns to the ground of their triumph in 2010.
Left: Thomas Berdych From the Czech Republic
Right: Novak Djokovic from Serbia
Despite the Czech team returning to their favored indoor hard-courts, Novak Djokovic is undefeated in Serbian colours this year and will pose a tough test to beat. The key match may come down to the likely doubles match up between experienced Serbian pair Bozoljac & Zimonjic vs the Czech pair of Berdych & Stepanek.
Prediction:
Day 1: As the team’s number 1 players face off against their opponent’s number 2 players on the opening day, Djokovic & Berdych each should record wins against their less fancied opponents Stepanek & Tipsarevic respectively. Leading into day 2 the teams should be tied at 1-1.
Day 2: As in Czech’s semifinal match, the lack of depth in the team should see Berdych and Stepanek again return to the court in the doubles. I see the Czech team coming out on top against the Serbian doubles pairing Bozoljac & Zimonjic in a close match. Czech‘s lead 2-1.
Alternatively, Berdych and Stepanek may be rested for play on day 3 however, the inexperienced pair of Rosol and Vesely will have trouble pulling out a win against the experienced Serbian doubles specialists.
Day 3: The final day of play sees the teams' number ones face off followed by the teams' number two players. We will likely see Djokovic and Tipsarevic return to the court to defeat Berdych and Stepanek respectively. Having played three matches in three days, Berdych and Stepanek will be less fresh than their Serbian counterparts and both will have trouble pulling out a win against their higher ranked opponents.
Prediction From The Tennis Forecast: Serbia defeat the Czech Republic 3 -2
No comments:
Post a Comment