The second quarterfinal of the 2021 Davis Cup Finals sees Great Britain take on Germany in Innsbruck, Austria. Both teams head into this clash full of confidence. Great Britain and Germany won each of their group stage ties to top their respective groups. Dan Evans and Cam Norrie lead the way for Great Britain, whilst Dominik Koepfer and Jan-Lennard Struff will look to once again punch above their weight for team Germany. Which nation will advance to the semifinals in Madrid?
Davis Cup Finals Quarterfinal: Great Britain vs Germany
H2H: 5-5
Probable matchups:
Dan Evans vs Dominik Koepfer
Cameron Norrie vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Joe Salisbury / Neal Skupski vs Kevin Krawietz / Tim Puetz
Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie have both had career best seasons, the pair now get the chance to end the season on a real high as the they lead a strong British team alongside experienced doubles pairing of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. Great Britain finished on top of Group C thanks to a pair of 2-1 victories over France and the Czech Republic. The only notable slip up for the British team came in their tie with the Czech Republic when Dan Evans dropped the opening rubber to Tomas Machac in what was a big upset. Norrie was then pushed to three sets by Jiri Lehecka. The pair will need to improve against the German’s. expect that improvement to occur.
Germany enters the quarterfinal stage on a high after beating Servia 2-1 to finish on top of Group F. Krawietz and Puetz displayed the importance of a competent doubles pairing in this format when they beat Djokovic and Cacic in the decisive double rubber. It was the same doubles combination that secured victory in Germany’s other tie when they beat Austria 2-1.
On paper, the British pair have the edge in each of the expected single’s matchups. However, Koepfer is definitely capable of challenging Evans, Struff is also capable of challenging Norrie. I would still give the British pair the benefit of the doubt in each singles rubber, they should at the very least get to 1-1. Team Great Britain would still fancy their chances if a deciding doubles rubber was needed, Joe Salisbury is best double players from either team’s combinations. Team Great Britain looks set to advance.
Prediction: Great Britain 2-1
Main Photo from Getty.
