Group B winner Spain will take on one of the second-place teams that made it to a Davis Cup quarterfinal, Argentina. The support of the crowd should play a big role in this duel. Who do you think will come out on top?
Davis Cup Quarterfinal Prediction: Spain vs Argentina
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Guido Pella
Head-to-head: Carreno Busta 2-0
With Roberto Bautista Agut pulling out due to his father’s death, it will be 28-year-old Pablo Carreno Busta taking the court for Spain in the first singles rubber. The Spaniard and Guido Pella aren’t necessarily associated with faster surfaces, but they’ve both made major improvements to their hardcourt game lately. Carreno Busta topped his rival at the US Open this season and won their only indoor meeting two years ago. Although Pella might be able to get more from his serve, the Spaniard got some great from going in the fall and should be able to rise to the occasion.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 3
Rafael Nadal vs Diego Schwartzman
Head-to-head: Nadal 8-0
The head-to-head looks very bad at first sight but it’s been a potentially dangerous matchup for Nadal over the years. The Argentinian had patches of play against the World No.1 where it looked like he can match him. But ultimately, Schwartzman doesn’t really have the power to break through the Spaniard’s defense. Indoor hard is not either’s cup of tea though and with the game going rather fast, Schwartzman should not be without a chance. But Nadal has been playing fantastic tennis so far and he’s only lost to Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev since May. The Spaniard is first and foremost an incredibly feisty competitor. Davis Cup, playing for the nation, is a setting he thrives at (his only singles loss in this competition came back in 2003).
Prediction: Nadal in 2
Marcel Granollers/Feliciano Lopez vs Leonardo Mayer/Maximo Gonzalez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez played together a few times but without much success. They took the court once already at this year’s Davis Cup, beating Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev. Leonardo Mayer and Maximo Gonzalez partnered in a couple of Challengers two years ago, but they’ve also been doing well together here. After defeating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry and Hans Podlipnik Castillo, the Argentinians went on to play a marathon clash against Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies and ended up losing 18-20 in the deciding tie-break, blowing six match points. With the help of the home crowd, it should be Marcel Granollers who will step up. The Spaniard had a great season, winning the Rogers Cup and finishing runner-up at the US Open.
Prediction: Granollers/Lopez in 3
