What’s at stake?Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā The 2005 and 2018 champions have been a standout team in recent campaigns as runners-up in 2021 and semi-finalists last season. They’ll want to put on a show for the home crowd and Vedran Martic’s men certainly have the quality to do so.Ā Ā However, they’ll have to get past the 32-time champions USA.Ā Bob Bryan, part of the team when America last triumphed in 2007, is now captain and theĀ doubles legend will be eager to begin his reign with a victory for his team.
HistoryĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā The record books are certainly on the Croatian side. The hosts hold a 5-0 head-to-head in meetings with USA.Ā Ā Ā Ā Last time out in 2018 was also on home courts, in Zadar, and Croatia escaped in a 3-2 thriller. It could well be as close on Wednesday as both teams have doubles expertise too. Team USA have US Open champion Rajeev Ram in red-hot form, while Croatia can call upon players including Mate Pavic and Ivan Dodig, who have excelled in their national colours.
Who to watch out forĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ‘Big Foe’ will be leading the charge for USA.Ā Frances Tiafoe, quarter-finalist at the US Open earlier this month, brings an X-Factor to the court.Ā The world No.11 hasn’t shown his full potential in Davis Cup action yet, with a 1-3 match record so far. However, he’s an elite athlete, an electric entertainer and he’s ready for the challenge.Ā Within the Croatian ranks is Split’s very own Dino Prizmic.Ā The 18-year-old won the Roland-Garros boys’ singles title in June and has since thrived on the ATP Challenger Tour.Ā He is competing in his home town in Croatian colours. What a stage to make his Davis Cup debut.
Whoās saying what?Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Croatia doubles star Mate Pavic:Ā āWe do have good players. We had good players in the past. There’re always new guys coming on board. So even when some of the guys are not playing, you know Marin [Cilic] is injured, we always have good players as a backup so for years now we’ve been playing good.Ā āTeam spirit, all of us bring special emotions to help bring up a different game. It’s tough to tell you why. But we’re here 10 years now. Hopefully we can keep that going.āĀ USA captain Bob Bryan:Ā “It’s an honour to lead this team. Davis Cup is something I watched as a little boy. “When youāre playing these group stages, you definitely want to get it going early. We have a lot of firepower on this team and we’re looking forward to that Wednesday match.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā “They have a great record. I was on one or two of those teams that lost to Croatia. They have a rich Davis Cup history, but I don’t think that has anything to do with this team right here. Itās a different group of guys, different weapons.
daviscup.com
