Davis Cup Final 2014: Full Preview

We preview the Davis Cup Final 2014

The Davis Cup Final gets underway on Friday, where France will host Switzerland in an all European clash that has the tennis world talking. The French Tennis Federation have plugged for the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille to host the show-piece event. Taking place across 5 rubbers from the 21 to 23 November, it will be fascinating to see if the French decision to play the tie on clay will reap dividend.

The stadium can seat more than 27,000 spectators and is expected to be at capacity across all three days. It is an indoor court with a retractable roof and is therefore ready for all conditions and will no doubt be stage for an incredible atmosphere if the French crowd lives up to it’s reputation. Partisan doesn’t quite to justice to how vociferously the French support local players, as you be seen every year at Roland Garros and the Paris Masters.

France lead the head to head convincingly, with a 10-2 lead over their Swiss rivals, although the nations haven’t met since 2004 and the Swiss are enjoying their tennis golden era. Federer in particular will be hugely motivated to win the Davis Cup Final for the first time, as it is the only major trophy he has not lifted.

Events off the court have dominated the build up to the Final, but ultimately it will be down to the players to dictate who finishes the weekend lifting the trophy. The Switzerland have had their problems, most notably an apparent falling out between star men Federer and Wawrinka, but I for one hope that the focus is on the tennis and we see some quality play from both sides.

Who do you think will win the Davis Cup Final? Here are how the two nations line up to help you decide:

Switzerland

Roger FEDERER

Date of birth: 08 Aug 1981

Singles ranking: 2

Doubles ranking: 123

Stan WAWRINKA

Date of birth: 28 Mar 1985

Singles ranking: 4

Doubles ranking:

Marco CHIUDINELLI

Date of birth: 10 Sep 1981

Singles ranking: 198

Doubles ranking: 207

Michael LAMMER

Date of birth: 25 Mar 1982

Singles ranking: 513

Doubles ranking: 526

France

Jo-Wilfried TSONGA

Date of birth: 17 Apr 1985

Singles ranking: 12

Doubles ranking: 15

Gael MONFILS

Date of birth: 01 Sep 1986

Singles ranking: 19

Doubles ranking:

Julien BENNETEAU

Date of birth: 20 Dec 1981

Singles ranking: 26

Doubles ranking: 5

Richard GASQUET

Date of birth: 18 Jun 1986

Singles ranking: 27

Doubles ranking: 191

Match Previews

Roger Federer v Gael Monfils

Head to Head: Federer leads 8-2

Gael Monfils has a reputation for upping his game when he needs to, but I don’t actually believe he deserves this. Sure he focusses more in the bigger games and feeds of the energy of the crowd, but he is still yet to put a string of performances together against the top guys. He met Federer at the French Open in 2011, with similar expectation of an upset and massive home support, but still lost in straights.

Federer will have to be wary that over five sets, Monfils will always feel like he has a sniff, even if he is two sets down. Fortunately for the Swiss, Federer is an incredible front runner and rarely gives up momentum. He is also immensely popular, even with the French crowd, so even through Monfils will be backed to the hilt, they will be respectful at least to the Swiss great.

Prediction: Federer in 3

Stanislas Wawinka v Jo Wilfried Tsonga

Head to Head: Tsonga leads 3-2

A tremendous match-up that almost guarantees fireworks. Four of their five meeting have come on clay and all have been epics that have gone the distance. Tsonga has had a solid if unspectacular year and will come in knowing this can be the highlight of his season and maybe even his career.

Wawrinka looked to be in terrible form heading in the World Tour Finals last week, but found his touch at a crucial time as Switzerland may have strength in their squad, but they are not blessed with the depth of the French team.

Both men play an attractive yet contrasting game style. Tsonga’s power comes from strength and physicality, Wawrinka’ more reliant on timing and technique and you can be sure that which man can attack more will come out on top.

Prediction: Tsonga in 4

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka v Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Julien Benneteau

Davis Cup and the middle Saturday means one thing, doubles. Doubles is so often the deciding rubber in Davis Cup and we are going to see four stars of the men’s game battle it out for the lead heading into Sunday. If the first two singles games following seeding, France will need a win to keep their hopes alive.

Federer and Wawrinka have experience in high pressure matches, winning gold together in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them put their spat behind them and win the match as they are both such consummate professionals.

Prediction: Federer and Wawrinka in 5

Roger Federer v Jo Wilfried Tsonga

Head to Head: Federer leads 11-5

The fourth rubber will be crucial no matter who plays and they tend to be nervous affairs. At firstglance the head-to-head is worrying for France, but in reality a 1:2 win loss ratio against Federer is nothing to be ashamed at. Many top players have struggled to beat him once, so Tsonga will go in with the confidence of a man who has won on five separate occasions.

Add in the straight sets victory for Tsonga over Federer at Roland Garros in 2013 and the fact that Federer will have played two days straight, I think an upset might be on the cards. Usually fatigue won’t play a part in such a big event, but Federer’s lack of match fitness that led him to withdraw in London was actually a back problem, which adrenaline is less likely to cover up.

Federer won’t beat himself, however, especially in a game that he dearly will want to win. His problem in 2013 was errors when he was forcing play too much and it will be interesting to see what balance he will find against Tsonga. Both men can be unplayable at times and it really could go either way.

Prediction: Tsonga in 4

Stanislas Wawinka v Gael Monfils

Head to Head: Tied 2-2

If it weren’t for their head-to-head, I wouldn’t even play Monfils in this one as Wawrinka has been dispatching defensive players with ease this season. Clearly this is a good match-up for the French entertainer, who could well be playing to keep his side in the tie.

If this is the deciding rubber I think we will be in for a treat, as the decisive match tends to be a close affair with both men playing for their country as well as themselves. It’s hard to say how Wawrinka will cope under the immense hope and expectation of his country and he is not the most extroverted character on tour.

Monfils, on the other hands, will raise his concentration if he is selected. He will know that a poor showing in his first singles match will likely be his last contribution, with Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau ready to take his place on Sunday.

Prediction: Wawrinka in 5

FINAL PREDICTION: SWITZERLAND WIN 3-2

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