The Argentine team of the Davis Cup He already knows what his rival will be in the quarterfinals of the end 8, the contest for the silver salad bowl that will be played from November 18 to 23 in Bologna: This is Germany, which appeared as the second preclassified nation in the draw carried out this Wednesday In the midst of the Piazza Maggiore of the Italian city.
The team led from this year by Javier Frana He won the right to fight in the definition instance after two victories as a visitor, anchored in a team with variants and without skinny points: In February he defeated Norway 3-2 in Oslo, in the debut of the new captain in replacement of Guillermo Coria, and last weekend 3-1 was imposed in front of the Netherlands in Groningen. Both series won them on a hard surface on the roof, The same conditions that will present the Bologna Fiera Stadium of Bologna, the scenario that will house the end 8.
Argentina entered the raffle without knowing if it would be preclassified by sharing the same ranking (8th) with the Czech Republic in the Official Nations list of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Azar determined that it was not, so it appeared in the bass drum of not planted teams along with Spain, Belgium and Austria. In that context the result ended up being helpful: The rival is Germany, when it could have been the two -time defender and host Italy or the Czechs themselves, or Spainin case of being preclassified.
“Always what it touches is the best. Over the years I learned that what cannot be controlled and is not within your reachIt is simply to let go to the side that has to go. In that sense, I had no expectations or preferences. Germany touched us and that is where we are going to focus as a first step “, Frana said, once he knew what team would be the first stumbling block in Argentina in Italy.
For its part Michael Kohlmann, the German captain, He warned that they will fight beyond the Argentine potential: “Argentina, as a great tennis nation, is a difficult opponent. With Francisco Cerú and Tomás Etcheverry They have two extraordinarily good syglistas. There is also Horacio Zeballos, who has already won two Grand Slam tournaments in double this year. They are very well positioned, but they are not unbeatable. I await a at odds. “
Faithful to his fruitful story, with The historic 2016 title and four other finals disputed, Frana’s team, in effect, has a compact squad. Among the syllats are The number one closing it (21 °) and Etcheverry (63 °), that they won their two points against the Netherlands, but more alternatives appear in the couple fight for a space: Sebastián Báez (41 °), of great tour since its premiere in 2022, and Francisco Comesaña (60 °)debutant against the Dutch, in addition to Camilo Ugo Carabelli (43 °), who awaits for his first appearance. In doubles, I have the most competitive duo of the final 8: Horacio Zeballos (5th; Ex number one in the world), champion this year in Roland Garros and the US Open, and Andrés Molteni (19 °; Ex 7 °).
The Albiceleste will be in the defining week for the second consecutive year: in 2024 it fell in the quarterfinals against Italy in Malaga, in the last driving of Coria and with former number one Zeballos, now converted into an undisputed reference, marginalized by a conflict with The Magician, who had incredibly left him outside the Olympic Games in Paris.
What does Germany have
Germany drags a story of the richest in the life of the Davis Cup. World Champion three times -1988, 1989 and 1993-, The European team comes to qualify at the end 8 after the overwhelming 4-0 victory against Japan, even without its main figure Alexander Zverev (3rd), Three times Grand Slam finalist, who He does not play for the salad bowl since the 2023 edition.
Also with the absence of Daniel Altmaier (49 °)their current number two, the Solistas in the last tie against the Japanese were Jan Lennard Sruff (97°) of the Hanfmann Yanniss (134°). The doubles played by the specialists Tim Pitz (13°; and 6°) and 6°) and Kevin Krawiz (12°; and 5°).
If they repeated the same formation in Bologna, they would bet on a tandem of Singgistas with a strong tour: Struff, 35, became number 21 of the ATP rankingwhile Hanfmann, 33, once touched the 45th position. The most powerful point, if Zverev did not play, will be twice: Puetz, 37, and Krawietz, 33, conquered 11 and 12 titles in the specialty, respectively.
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