Davis Cup: Argentina begins the series against Sweden, with the aim of reaching the final

The Argentine tennis team will debut this Tuesday in the Group stage of the 2022 Davis Cup finals, in a series that will mark the return of the national team to the highest levels of the traditional – albeit renewed, thanks to the new format – competition for nations. The blue and black and white team will face, from 10 am in our country (with TyC Sports television), Swedenat the opening of Group Awhich will be played in Bologna.

Although on paper the Swedes are the most accessible rivals in the area, which also includes Italy and Croatia, the Argentines know that, on a hard indoor surface, their three European rivals are gaining strength. However, after a couple of days of training on the pitch that will host the group matches, they are confident they can reach the goal of finishing in the top two and qualifying for the playoffs, which will be played in Malaga in November.

“We are happy with all the conditions we find in Bologna. We are very well. The pitch is similar to that of the ATP in Vienna, it is agitated, slow, but maybe it will change a bit when the whole audience is there.” they adapt very quickly to the surface. They are very comfortable, with an impressive ball impact “, commented Coria, in the preview of the debut.

The Wizardwho will have his second experience at the helm of the team, his first away from home, he confirmed on Monday Sebastian Baez37th in the standings, he will play the first point against the second single rival. Diego Schwartzmann, 17th, will play second against the best-ranked Swede. And the double will be disputed by the specialists, Horace Zeballo11th in the ranking of couples, e Massimo Gonzalez51 °.

Coria and his technical staff, the sub-captain Martin Garcia and the assistant Leonard MayerDavis champion in 2016 – they decided to field Báez instead of Francesco Cerundolo, which is better placed in the standings today (27th). The decision, Rosario said, was not an easy one.

“We talked to Fran and we know he is ready to play. He is doing good training and feeling very good. The truth is that they are all at a very good level and this made it difficult to choose who would play against Sweden. We evaluated different things. , like the different types of play of the rivals and the different moments, and we opted for Sebas and Diego for the singles, we hope they can repeat the good performances they had on the circuit, “explained Coria.

How will they form the rival team? Even if the captain Johan Hedsberg did not confirm the formation, the singlistas would have been the brothers Ymer, Michael98th in the standings, e Elijah, 119 °. And in doubles, it is the number placed André Goransson68th in the ranking of couples. Madara Dragon657th in that specialty, and Jonathan Mrdha1457th, complete the list of players called-

“Sweden will be a difficult series. We have to do our best and try to win, however we can. We have to win, because with this format every point, every set is important. We are all lined up and focused on that first game, commented Coria. “I’m a little anxious, excited, anxious. And also, with Leo and Tero (García), I focused on all the details so that the boys feel comfortable and only have to worry about hitting the ball, point by point. ”

“We are very happy to be here once again, in the most important competition. We hope that against Sweden we can feel good and win that duel, have the chance to win the group or finish in the top two, to be able to reach Spain by year. “, Schwartzman hoped.

Argentina leads the history of the clashes against Sweden for 3 to 2, even if the last clash between the two dates back to 12 years ago, in the first round of World Group 2010 in Stockholm. On that occasion the victory was for the albicelesti for 3 to 2.

The national team reached this instance by beating 4-0 to Czech Republic in March in a series of qualifications which was disputed on the brick dust of the Tennis on the grass of Buenos Aires. Meanwhile, the Europeans have won 3 to 2 to Japan in Helsingborg, also in a passage of the qualifying round for this case.

How is the path of Argentina

After the duel against Sweden, Diego Schwartzman and his team mates will face off on Friday Italywho has a very tough team, with Sinner Jannik (11 °), Matteo Berretti (15 °) and a double consolidated with Fabio Fogni Y Simone Bolelli. And Saturday will clash Croatiawhich comes with Borna Coric (26th and recent champion in Cincinnati) and the duo Matte Pavic-Nikola Mektic, Grand Slam champion and former leader of the rankings; even if without Marino Cilic (16th), started at the last moment claiming that “he needed a rest to close the season well”.

Cilic’s defeat – coming from reaching the round of 16 in US Openwhere he said goodbye Carlos Alcaraz– improves Argentina’s chances; although not too much, as Schwartzman assures us.

“With Cilic, Croatia would have been much more difficult, because he and Coric have done incredibly well in recent weeks. But they are still a tough opponent, like the other two, because they are used to playing on this surface and in these conditions. And we don’t. So a victim like Cilic’s gives us more chances, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a place where they naturally feel at ease, “Peque analyzed.

Coria agreed with his player. “As Diego said, even though Cilic is not here, Croatia have a great team. He showed it in the final last year in Madrid, when he was second,” commented Rosario’s man. “The same for now we are focused on Sweden. We have to win that duel and go game after game, because anything can happen to Davis. Then we’ll worry about points or other rivals.”

The appointment of group A

Tuesday 13th, by TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play. Argentina-Sweden

Wednesday 14, by TyC Sports Play. Croatia-Italy

Thursday 15, by TyC Sports Play. Croatia-Sweden

Friday 16, by TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play. Argentina-Italy

Saturday 17th, curated by TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play. Argentina-Croatia

Sunday 18th, by TyC Sports Play. Italy-Sweden

* All series will start at 10 in our country.

The other groups of this phase

Group B, in Valencia: Spain, South Korea, Serbia and Canada.

Group C, in Hamburg: France, Germany, Australia and Belgium.

Group D, in Glasgow: United States, Great Britain, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands.