Davis Cup: Belgium vs Switzerland Preview & Prediction
Men’s tennis is in its golden era right now. Some of the best players ever have created amazing rivalries and are setting records left and right. Tennis is a worldwide sport along the same lines as golf and football (soccer). Davis Cup has not caught on as strongly as the World Cup, but its popularity is on the rise.
Davis Cup has not caught on as strongly as the World Cup, but its popularity is on the rise.
As this week moves on and the anticipation rises, Lob & Smash is pleased to offer you previews and predictions of each Davis Cup tie in the World Group. To see the breakdown of the 2015 Davis Cup draw, click here.
Other Davis Cup Round 1 Previews
Tuesday: Belgium vs Switzerland, Canada vs Japan
Wednesday: Serbia vs Croatia, Argentina vs Brazil
Thursday: Kazakhstan vs Italy, Czech Republic vs. Australia
Friday: Great Britain vs United States, Germany vs France
Davis Cup: Belgium vs Switzerland Preview & Prediction
Location: Liège, Belgium
Surface: Indoor Hard
Captains: Johan Van Herck (BEL) & Serverin Luthi (SUI)
| Belgium | Age | Singles Ranking | Doubles Ranking | Switzerland | Age | Singles Ranking | Doubles Ranking | |
| David Goffin | 24 | 21 | 1279-t | Yann Marti | 26 | 294 | – | |
| Steve Darcis | 30 | 105 | 1053 | Adrien Bossel | 28 | 324 | 1165-t | |
| Ruben Bemelmans | 27 | 139 | 209 | Henri Laaksonen | 22 | 344 | 604 | |
| Niels Desein | 27 | 156 | 386 | Michael Lammer | 32 | 541 | 760 |
Switzerland is coming off their first ever Davis Cup title. Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka willed their country to victory, playing both singles and doubles. They have both opted out of this year’s contest, leaving the Swiss team in shambles. Marti has only won one match this year in a futures event in Turkey and has never played Davis Cup. Bossel has not gotten out of the qualifiers in the challenger tourneys he has entered and also is a Davis Cup rookie.
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Belgium is ranked No.16 in the world team rankings and has had little success in Davis Cup. They reached the semifinals in 1999. They have not had a World Group tie win since they beat Australia in 2007. Goffin is a top level talent who should enjoy the support of the home crowd. Darcis has played 14 ties for his country with some success.
Belgium is lucky to face a Swiss team without its two stalwarts. Goffin should win both of his singles matches. Darcis and whoever plays doubles for the Belgians should have no trouble coming up at least one more victory.
Prediction: Belgium, 4-1
Next: ATP Tennis Power Rankings
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