The Davis Cup quarterfinals are underway and the tide of each tie could hinge on the doubles result. Here’s a look at the rubbers slated to take place this weekend.
Simone Bolelli/Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) vs. Pierre-Hugues Herbert/Nicolas Mahut (FRA)
Host: Italy
Surface: Clay
If there ever was a pairing that could be considered “tentative,” it would be the Bolelli/Lorenzi combo. Fabio Fognini has been Italy’s stalwart in singles, as well as doubles with Bolelli. If Italy’s in trouble after the first day of singles, expect Fognini to replace Lorenzi as the 2016 Australian Open champs face off against one of the best teams on tour the past few years in Herbert and Mahut.
Feliciano Lopez/Marc Lopez (ESP) vs. Jan-Lennard Struff/Tim Puetz (GER)
Host: Spain
Surface: Clay
It couldn’t be a more perfect set-up for Lopez and Lopez: They’re playing at home and on their favorite surface. However, the 2016 French Open champions will have to come out focused from the first ball on as the Germans have proven themselves in Davis Cup, most recently in the first round against Australia. Struff and Puetz enter the tie playing some of the best tennis of their respective careers, and could be primed to get the upset.
Ivan Dodig/Nikola Mektic (CRO) vs. Timur Khabibulin/Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ)
Host: Croatia
Surface: Clay
Perhaps no one outside of the Kazakhstan Davis Cup team would give Khabibulin and Nedovyesov much of a chance against Dodig and Mektic. The Kazakhs have been proving the tennis world wrong for a few years now when it comes to the international team competition. They’ll be up for the challenge, but more than likely will fall short against the Croats, both of whom are top-20-caliber doubles players.
Jack Sock/Ryan Harrison (USA) vs. Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen (BEL)
Host: U.S.
Surface: Hard
It’s somewhat ironic that doubles could be a strength for the U.S. team after Bob and Mike Bryan decided to step away from Davis Cup. The singles specialists that make up the team have been winning Grand Slams, Masters tournaments and Olympic medals in doubles of late. The Sock-Harrison combo might be the one most unfamiliar on court, but their firepower and savvy should serve them well against Gille and Vliegen.
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