Davis Cup semi-finals tips: Murray meets Del Potro, Croatia could thwart France
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | September 15, 2016
2016 Davis Cup semi-finals tips
Great Britain must clear just two more hurdles to retain their Davis Cup crown, with a home tie with Argentina in the semis and the winners to play either depleted France or Croatia in the final.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray naturally spearheads the British charge in this team tennis event, alongside brother Jamie on native Scottish soil and Kyle Edmund, while captain Leon Smith keeps Dan Evans in reserve.
Argentine opposition is posed by the resurgent Juan Martin del Potro, who has finally put his injury nightmare behind him yet fell to Murray in the Olympics men’s singles final in four sets.
Like compatriot Guido Pella, Del Potro will play two singles rubbers of this Davis Cup tie, while Andy and Jamie turn out for doubles against Federico Delbonis and Leonardo Mayer on day two of this clash.
Three matches in as many days should be no problem for Murray, though. Croatia, meanwhile, host France, who call up Richard Gasquet after Gael Monfils pulled out.
Coral tennis experts take a good look at the two ties in more detail, and have come up with four 2016 Davis Cup semi-finals tips for your delectation…
Murray to repeat 3-1 Olympics win
Although both Murray and Del Potro made earlier than anticipated exits from the recent US Open, the form of their Olympics encounter looks to be very good indeed.
The Briton is yet to win a career battle with Del Potro in straight sets, and this should be no exception to that rule.
Murray is most appealing at 5/2 to repeat that 3-1 Olympics final triumph, but that’s not all we’re tipping from this sure to be compelling contest…
Del Potro to win the second set of Murray match
While we feel there’s little danger of ATP world number two Murray losing his singles rubber with Del Potro, the Argentine will still make him work for the win.
Each of their last three meetings has seen Del Potro scoop the second set, so odds of 7/4 for him to repeat that feat are too tempting to turn down.
Edmund to take Pella opener on tiebreak
Just a few spots in the ATP world rankings separate Edmund from Pella, so this rubber should be a close contest.
Although the Argentine defeated Edmund 2-1 at Indian Wells in three sets earlier this season, the latter is now competing in front of a home crowd in Glasgow.
Edmund holds excellent odds of 6/1 to repeat his tiebreak victory in the opener here, so another 7-6 first set result in his favour is surely worth a patriotic punt.
Pouille to outperform Cilic
There is no denying that France’s Davis Cup team is weaker without missing Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in it, but Lucas Pouille made a second successive Grand Slam quarter-final at the US Open.
Now ranked inside the world’s top 20, the youngster is exciting and his Summer Slams hitlist includes Del Potro and Bernard Tomic (both at Wimbledon), as well as Rafael Nadal at Flushing Meadows.
Given how poorly former US Open champ Marin Cilic played in New York and this being on a similar hard surface, despite home advantage, Pouille has plenty of merit if you back him at an awesome 11/4 to win their Davis Cup rubber.
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