Although it would be an exaggeration to describe the new Davis Cup Finals as an unqualified success, there has been plenty of entertaining action for the fans to enjoy in Madrid. And that looks set to continue in the evening session, when the two remaining quarterfinals will be completed. On Centre Court at the Caja Magica hosts Spain will take on 2017 champions Argentina, whilst on Stadium Two it will be an all-European battle between Great Britain and Germany. But who will come out on top?
Davis Cup Finals Quarterfinal Prediction – Great Britain vs Germany
Kyle Edmund vs Philipp Kohlschreiber
Head-to-head: first meeting
Perhaps surprisingly, this will be the first meeting between Kyle Edmund and Philipp Kohlschreiber. Both men are well-established touring professionals, although neither have enjoyed memorable seasons. Edmund, particularly, has endured a torrid 2019. Having begun the year ranked inside the top 15, he found himself at 75th in the world in October, although he has since battled back into the top 70. The veteran Kohlschreiber, meanwhile, has run into difficulties of his own, finishing the year outside the top 50 for the first time since 2006.
But both men have impressed so far in Madrid. Kohlschreiber scored valuable singles wins for Germany in Group C, beating world #25 and Wimbledon quarterfinalist Guido Pella in a 3-0 win over Argentina, as well as dispatching Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in straight-sets. Edmund did not play in Britain’s opening win over the Netherlands, but brushed aside the dangerous Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-3 6-3, in the 2-1 win over Kazakhstan that secured Britain’s place in the quarterfinals.
On paper, he looks to be in good position to back that win up with another victory. Kohlschreiber has many qualities, but he is not at his best on an indoor hard court. Nor does he have any weaponry to match the Edmund forehand. He is the more consistent of the two and at his best spreads the court superbly. But he has struggled to find his best tennis this season and has looked half a step slow of late. Expect Edmund to overpower the German.
Prediction: Edmund in 2
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Dan Evans vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-head: Evans 1-0 Struff
This should be an entertaining clash between two men who arrived in Madrid after the best seasons of their careers. Unfortunately for Dan Evans, that has not translated to success so far at the Davis Cup Finals, with the British #1 yet to win a match. But he has performed well and may perhaps feel unlucky to have lost in three-sets to both Robin Haase and Alexander Bublik, although his third-set collapse against the Kazakh is surely a cause for concern.
Jan-Lennard Struff has also not had things all his own way in Madrid. After starting his campaign with a fine 6-3 7-6 win over Diego Schwartzman of Argentina, he lost to Chile’s Cristian Garin by the narrowest of margins, falling 7-6 6-7 6-7, in what was Germany’s only defeat of the group stage. He also lost his only previous match against Evans, falling to a four-set defeat in the first round at the All England Club in 2016.
There was little between the two then, however, and one rather suspects it will be a similarly tight affair in Madrid. But the serving conditions have been good so far at the Caja Magica which could give Struff a decisive edge. The big-hitting German will need to be wary of Evans’ court-craft and denying him the time to hit his slice backhand aggressively will be essential. But if Struff can impose himself early on, he should have just enough power to hit through Evans.
Prediction: Struff in 3
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Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski vs Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies
Head-to-head: N/A
Andreas Mies and Kevin Krawietz enjoyed a superb season, highlighted by their triumph at the French Open, and they have maintained that fine form at the Davis Cup Finals, winning both of their rubbers during the group stage. Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski too went undefeated in the group stage, but their partnership has been rather less successful, although they did finish the regular ATP season with a solid showing at the Paris Masters, where they reached the quarterfinals.
This looks set to be an entertaining clash between doubles specialists, with the majority of the tennis likely to be played in the forecourt. However, German pairing did beat Murray and Skupski earlier this month in straight-sets at the Paris Masters. And where they might just be able to carve out a decisive advantage is in their superiority from the back of the court. Murray is an excellent volleyer, but his groundstrokes, particularly his forehand, can be exposed and Skupski appears to lack the versatility to cover for this against the best doubles pairings in the game.
Prediction: Krawietz and Mies in 3
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