The opening two days at the Davis Cup Finals in Madrid have already seen some nail-biting ties that have brought the Spanish crowds to their feet. With six more ties set to be played on day three, the crowds will surely be expecting more entertaining action, with the highlight of the morning session Great Britain’s clash with the Netherlands. But who will pick up a much-needed win in this potentially decisive Group E clash?
Davis Cup Finals Day Three Predictions
Andy Murray vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-head: first meeting
Andy Murray will surely be full of confidence in his Davis Cup Finals opener. Not only does he have a superb record in the Davis Cup, he is also riding a five-match winning streak after storming to the European Open title in Antwerp last time he was in competitive action. And having been out of action since, although not entirely at leisure having just welcomed his third child, he should be rested and ready to play his best in Madrid. If Murray can recapture the sort of form that took him to the title in Antwerp, he should have more than enough to see of the challenge of Tallon Griekspoor.
The Dutchman has played just seven matches at tour-level so far in his career, winning only two of them. The 23-year-old did win a Challenger title in Banja Luka in September, but arrived at the Davis Cup Finals having lost his last three matches without winning a set and played no part in the Netherland’s 1-2 defeat at the hands of Kazakhstan in their first tie of the week. Griekspoor could put up some resistance, but Murray is simply the better player and that should tell sooner rather than later.
Prediction: Murray in 2
Daniel Evans vs Robin Haase
Head-to-head: Evans 1-1 Haase
Dan Evans finds himself in the unusual position of playing as the British #1 at the Davis Cup Finals. But the world #42 has many previous memorable performances at the Davis Cup to inspire him to a big week and has enjoyed a fine year, highlighted by making his first tour-level final at the Delray Beach Open. However, he may not have things all his own way against the top-ranked Dutchman Robin Haase, who seems to have drawn inspiration from the pressure his own position places him under.
He produced a superb performance to defeat Alexander Bublik yesterday in three tight sets. Bublik is ranked only six places below the Briton so that victory may well have given the Dutchman confidence that he can prevail in this match too and Haase certainly has the game to cause Evans problems. But Evans is a more solid player than Bublik and although he cannot match the Kazakh’s power, he is more than his equal in court-craft. This one looks set to be close, but expect Evans to edge it, with his greater variety proving the decisive factor.
Prediction: Evans in 3
Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski vs Wesley Koolhof and Jean-Julien Rojer
Head-to-head: N/A
This has the makings of an excellent doubles match. All four of the competitors are specialist doubles players who have all won big titles, albeit often with different partners. Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski do have the advantage of having played together regularly recently, although their partnership has, as yet, failed to hit the heights both men were surely hoping for. However, they did reach the quarterfinals at the Paris Masters in their final outing of the regular season.
Wesley Koolhof and Jean-Julien Rojer may feel confident about their chances, although Rojer will surely be disappointed by his failure to get the better of the Kazakh pairing of Bublik and Mikhail Kukushkin in the decisive doubles rubber yesterday. Nonetheless, if they are at their best, their consistent serving should allow them to keep the pressure on the British pairing. Ultimately, however, whilst this match looks set to go the distance, the greater familiarity of Murray and Skupski could well give them the edge in the decisive moments.
Prediction: Murray and Skupski in 3
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