Davis Cup Preview: USA vs Serbia

It's that time again! The Red White and Blue will be looking for the three Ds; Defend home soil, Defeat 2010 Champion Serbia, and Dominate the world number 1 Novak Djokovic. If they fail to do any of these three things, it will be tough for the USA to advance into the Semi-finals of the Davis Cup.

Novak Djokovic is coming off the North American hard court season with no titles, which hasn't happened since 2010. Some say that this is hope for the Americans as Novak has shown vulnerability these past couple of tournaments. Others would argue and ask, "who holds the last major?" Whatever is the case, he would be an extremely tough out for the US. Let's take a look at the host site and the match ups of this year's 2013 Quarterfinal round.

The Host Site

The Americans have chosen Boise, Idaho as the site to keep their Davis Cup titles alive. The altitude, 2,871 above sea level, along with its indoor properties, will allow the ball to travel faster through the court. The Americans see this as a huge advantage as they have the ace leader of the ATP in John Isner and another big server in Sam Querrey. The Serbs will be hoping for a great return performance to neutralize the American fire power.

The Matchups!

Novak Djokovic vs John Isner

The first match is usually the catalyst for a Davis Cup tie. This could not be any truer in this case. Big John Isner will be looking to continue being the Davis Cup hero for the Americans. He was able to take out the Greatest player of all time, Federer, on his home soil, and now he will be looking to take out the best player in the world today in Novak Djokovic. Novak is coming off Indian Wells and Miami empty handed for the first time since 2010. He will be eager to put his team up 1-0 and in route to the semifinals of Davis Cup. Novak will also be looking for some personal revenge from the last time these two played, Indian Wells 2010 semifinal where John Isner upset the world's number 1. Expect a tough match, where if the US wins, it would give them a huge advantage going into the second rubber and the weekend matches.

Sam Querrey vs Viktor Troicki

Sam will be eager to give the US a 2-0 lead or to get them back even at 1 before the Saturday doubles tie. He has put himself back into the top 20 ATP playing well in 2013. He has also beaten Troicki in Davis Cup before back in 2010. Sam should benefit from the fast courts in Idaho and should keep the US in front or in the running before the weekend!

Bob & Mike Bryan v Ilija Bozoljac & Nenad Zimonjic

Bob an Mike are coming into Boise with a HUGE chip on their shoulders. They lost their first Davis Cup tie match last round for the first time since 2008. This loss put the hopes of the US advancing in real jeopardy, and the twins want none of it again. They will be facing Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic. The Serb duo will try to give the Americans fits as Zimonjic has been an enigma for the American team in the past. Expect a battle as Zimonjic has always played the twins well, but the better team should take this one!

Sam Querrey v Novak Djokovic

Sam has made his way back to the top 20 in the world after a very difficult 2012 full of injuries. As the top American (#20 in the world), Sam will be looking to carry the Stars and Stripes to victory. He has not had the best of luck against the best player in the world with a 1-5 head-to-head record with the only victory coming indoors in Paris Masters last year. These two top players have met in the Davis Cup format before, the 2010 tie won by Djokovic and Serbia in Belgrade. The match can come down to this final match, putting extra pressure on both Querrey and Djokovic. The hopes to move to the Semifinals can rest on the shoulders of these two players.

John Isner v Viktor Troicki

Big John has had mixed results this year, but looks to be back in the swing of things. Troicki has had a tough 2013 only winning four of his first 11 matches this year. This is a good sign for the Americans and for Big John as the match might come down to the numbers twos for each country. Viktor Troicki has had a solid head-to-head record against the 6'9" American, 3-1. They faced each other in Belgrade in 2010 in the same format where the Serb defended his home turf and allowed Serbia to advance into the next stage of the World Group. John Isner will be looking to do the same in Idaho on Sunday, advancing his American squad into the semifinals of the Davis Cup. With Josh's stock on the rise, along with a fast environment, and Troicki on the fall, expect John to win the tie for the American squad!

The Outcome

Look for the Americans to click on all cylenders. They have the surface, the environment, and the personal to pull of the upset. The Serbs need to return extremely well and count on more than just their number one player. This match should come down all the way to the fifth rubber with the tie resting on the shoulders of John Isner and Viktor Troicki.

USA 3 Serbia 2

Davis Cup Preview: USA vs Spain

Could the domination of the Davis Cup maintain by the Spanish? This Friday in the historic and beautiful city of Gijon, Spain, the US will battle the Spanish squad for the eleventh time in Davis Cup history. The teams come in tied, 5 to 5 head-to-head. The Americans will look to avenge last year's loss to Spain on home soil and are attempting to halt a two tie losing streak to the Spanish team.  Looking to continue its Davis Cup stranglehold, Spain owner of 5 cup titles in the past 11 years, should feel as a favorite at home over a depleted US team.

Davis Cup Preview, USA vs France

Davis Cup time is upon us again and The US will face a tough match against France this weekend. It will be difficult one for a number of reasons which I will get to later, but you never know in Davis Cup; hopefully the Americans will put their best face forward against a solid French team.

What are some of the challenges?

Great Win by the USA!

It's been a while that the US has looked so good in Davis Cup. Even without Andy Roddick, the 2nd highest ranked American, and Bob Bryan, who is back in Cali with wife and newborn, the underdog Americans took on an exceptional two man team of Federer and Wrawrinka and manhandled them.  The last thing most people thought would happen was a sweep in the hands of the Americans but a grueling match by Mardy over Stan earned the 1st point for the Yanks.  Then the shocker of all, Big John takes Fed the Great out in 4 sets in his backyard putting The US up 2-0.  Mardy was back on the court with Mike Bryan to finish of the tie and sweep the Swiss.

  A victory like this is sweet and long coming. This squad is deep with Mardy leading the helm and the young guns we could be looking at raising the cup for the 1st time since '07. Go USA!

How to Improve The Davis Cup in America!

There was a point in time where The Davis Cup was seen by Americans as something to be proud of since The US has been a juggernaut in the contest since the start of the 20th century. If you ask a modest American sports fan what The Davis Cup is, they most likely won't know what it is or where it is even held. A serious tennis fan might tell you what it is but most likely won't know where it is held. This is a problem that has plagued us in The US for some time now and will until we make some changes at home.
1) Promote It!
When was the last time you saw a commercial for The Davis Cup on TV? I can't say there is one besides the tennis channel and this is a premium channel on cable or satellite. The USTA needs to by slots on national networks to at least get the word out. We are in an age of high speed information. People can either watch sports events online or at least keep up with them using the same medium; why not inform the public and get a buzz going? This is where we have really dropped the ball.

2) Promote our Players!
Here is a question for you. Who plays Davis Cup for The US? Or even a better one, who is our #1 ranked American? Does the average sports fan know this? NO! Andy Roddick has been a great top 10 player for a decade now but he is not there anymore. What have we done to promote Mardy Fish? We might see him in one K-Swiss commercial but that's about it. How are we promoting Isner, Querry, Harrison, Sock or the best doubles team ever, the Bryans? The USTA has to do more to get these names out. The average sports fan will watch the Kentucky Derby or The Daytona 500 and they know who the prime characters are, tennis cannot fall behind to a horse and a car!,/p>

3) Have a Venue that brings attention!
NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami these are major cities with millions of people that we could attract to go to this amazing event. It breaks my heart watching our Davis Cup team in cities like Austin, Rancho Mirage, Portland, Winston-Salem; all of these BEAUTIFUL cities but they do not have the demographics to bring the crowds needed to have a true Davis Cup feel. When I watch Davis Cup in Buenos Aires, Seville, or Zagreb it is contagious and energetic. These are cities with millions of people who become very passionate. Having our venues in larger cities will bring excitement and attention.

Let's make Davis Cup the event it deserves to be in The US! Let's promote it, promote our players, and host it in large venues that will bring in the energy and passion that these other countries bring. After all, this is the largest annual competition in the world. Let's have pride and help the cup stay in The US!

Davis Cup Preview; USA vs Switzerland

This weekend starts the 2012 Davis Cup season. The US will be looking to win its 33 Davis Cup title and 1st since 2007. It has a mighty task at hand facing Switzerland with Roger the Great and Stan "The Man" Wrawrinka. Both players are going to be a handful for the Americans who will throw Mardy Fish and Big John Isner at them. Bob Bryan will be missing from the line up as he will be home in California welcoming a new addition to his family. Captain Jim Courier has not set his doubles team yet but is leaning towards Fish and Mike Bryan. He also has a possible ACE in the hole with young Ryan Harrison. The young Yankee came of the Aussie Open with some confidence taking a set away from the #4 ranked player in the world and semifinalist Andy Murray.
A wildcard in this tie is the surface they will play on; clay! It almost seems as any tie for the Americans when they are not on US soil is automatically on clay. Maybe it's a sign for us! Roger and Stan are both solid on clay along with Mardy. It will be interesting to see how Big John plays on it. He did take The King of Clay, Rafa Nadal, to 5 sets last Spring at Roland Garros. Never the less it will be a tough task for the Americans but equally for the Swiss! Go USA!
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