Davis Cup World Group Play-Offs

Eight ties were played last week to determine who will be taking part in the Davis Cup proper for 2012. Here are the results:

Romania 0-5 Czech Republic

Not a chance for the Romanians who played the tie at home on clay but were not a match for 2009 finalists, Czech Republic, who only dropped a set en route to a whitewash.

Russia 3-2 Brazil

Russia just about held on to their World Group status thanks to a 14-12 fifth set win by Youzhny against Bellucci. One of the driving forces in the history of tennis, relegation would have been disastrous for Russia but they just about stayed on top of an emerging nation. Russia are on the down and will need to change things drastically in order to keep in the top tier of the Davis Cup whereas Brazil are finally recovering from the days of Kuerten and Meligeni with Bellucci, Melo, Soares and many other players appearing on tour.

Israel 2-3 Canada

This was a clash of two smaller nations with a real chance of making it into the World Group. Israel have recently experienced top tier tennis but couldn't continue that trend after losing to Canada in the deciding rubber. Canada will be a nation to look out in the future who have made it into the World Group earlier than expected. Milos Raonic and upcoming youngster Vasek Pospisil lead the canucks with a very trustworthy veteran by the name of Daniel Nestor backing them up in the doubles.

South Africa 1-4 Croatia

South Africa fall just short at this stage for the third year in a row. They are very much a one player side with Kevin Anderson winning his only match impressively against Ivan Dodig. Croatia meanwhile continue at the top level of the game with Cilic and Dodig doing the business for them but they shouldn't expect for too much in the World Group, especially if drawn away from home.

Chile 1-4 Italy

Talking of nations on the down, Chile's golden era looks to have finished. Although the South Americans have never experienced a good run in the Davis Cup, with a couple of quarter finals being their best showing, the Massu-Gonzalez combo unlocked the nation's trophy cabinet with a couple of medals at the '04 and '08 Olympics and two World Team Cups in '03 and '04. Now at the end of their careers their drop into Division 1 could mean the end of World Group action for a while. Italy on the other hand have a large amount of decent players who have been asking for World Group tennis for a while and finally have it. Fognini and Seppi could beat almost anyone on their day and Bracciali/Starace/Bolelli have impressive doubles results. They lose a lot when not on clay so will be looking for a home draw.

Japan 4-1 India

Japan returns to the Davis Cup for the first time since 1985. India at home was almost the best thing they could've asked for in a Play-Off and they didn't let the chance pass. If Kei Nishikori can stay fit then they've got a strong player in the singles. Soeda, Ito and Sugita are solid back-ups but perhaps not strong enough to stay in the World Group.

Belgium 1-4 Austria

A classic encounter between two fringe European nations who love to play their ties on quick indoor courts and aim to surprise a bigger nation in the early rounds. Beforehand it was difficult to predict who would prevail between these two closely matched nations. Jurgen Melzer was the standout player of the tie but was surprisely defeated by Darcis in the second rubber. Austria had a little bit too much for the Belgians though, with Marach-Peya a consolidated doubles pairing and Haider-Maurer a tough Challenger Tour player proving too strong.

Australia 2-3 Switzerland

The toughest draw of the play-offs as was proved by the nail biting result. Federer came to the rescue of his nation to put them back in the World Group. Australia aren't the dominant force of old but it looks like they are turning a corner with Bernard Tomic who put in a solid performance by defeating Wawrinka and taking a set off Federer. Guccione and Hewitt recorded a good win over Olympic doubles champions Federer/Wawrinka but in the end Stan beat Lleyton in the 5th set of the 5th rubber. Switzerland could have a good run in the cup if Federer turns up and Wawrinka finds some form. As for Australia we should expect to see them in the play-offs next year.

Davis Cup Review

World Group Semi-Finals:

Spain 4-1 France

No surprises here, Spain haven't been beaten at home on the red stuff since 1999 when Kuerten and his Brazilian mates defeated Corretja and co in Lleida. Nadal destroyed Gasquet and Tsonga, whilst Ferrer did the same with Simon. Llodra and Tsonga severely beat Verdasco and Lopez to offer a glimmer of a hope but ultimately it wasn't enough as the Armada gained revenge for last year's whitewash in the quarters.

Serbia 2-3 Argentina

The defending champions fall without the help of world number one Djokovic. Novak rested out Friday's singles with Nalbandian and Del Potro making the most of this opening by defeating Troicki and Tipsarevic respectively. Serbia took the doubles but Djokovic retired when trailing by a set and 3-0 to Del Potro in the 4th rubber handing Argentina the tie.

So the final in December will see a classic duel between arguably the two best male tennis nations of this century. Argentina have been on the downhill since the days of Coria, Gaudio, Puerta or Calleri but the recoveries of Del Potro and Nalbandian (on and off injuries still hamper David) offer the South American nation another shot at their first Davis Cup having lost 3 finals, the most recent of which precisely against Spain on home turf in 2008.

Spain on the other hand are still the driving force in male tennis with 14 players in the top 100 including 10 time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal, world number 5 Ferrer and lefties Verdasco and Lopez. The spaniards will be aiming at their 5th title in what is their third final in four years. With the tie being played on clay in Spain, Argentina are going to have to pull something extraordinary out of the bag.