The quarter-final ties are:

Russia v France
Belgium v Germany
USA v Spain
Sweden v Argentina


Russia were pretty impressive in beating the dangerous Chileans, especially given that they were without Tursunov and Davydenko. I have a feeling that this may be USA's year - they won away on clay, Roddick is in great form, and the Bryans nearly always win their doubles (I have my reservations about Blake in Davis Cup though). And Argentina looked v comfortable, even without their talisman, Nalbandian. Belgium, Germany and Sweden are the 3 'minnows' as far as I'm concerned - all played v well in last round, but don't have enough strength in depth to go all the way and win this competition.

Well, you're not likely to see them win at home on clay. ;)

I hope this is their year. I'm glad they get home-court in the tie with Spain, as it would be very difficult for them to come away with a win on clay against the Spanish team. On hard courts, they'll be very tough.

If I was someone in the betting trade, I'd have the following list, for favourites...

FAVOURITES

1. Russia (still the team to beat - perform well on all surfaces, but can be weaker in doubles), closely followed by...
2. USA (Roddick in form, Bryans win nearly all their doubles - Blake can be a weak link in Davis Cup though), then...
3. Argentina (showed there's life without Nalbandian - Canas, Acasuso and Del Potro all came up with the goods, and surely David will join the team for their next tie)

then...

DARK HORSES
4. France (Gasquet produces great stuff in Davis Cup, Clement and Llodra are a good doubles team, and Grosjean or Monfils can provide good back-up as 2nd singles player)
5. Germany (Would place them higher if Kiefer is definitely available. Haas in good form, and they have an in-form doubles team

OUTSIDERS

6. Spain (tricky away tie in US, but Lopez, Robredo or Nadal can perform well on fast surfaces, and Lopez is a decent doubles player)
7. Sweden (Do well on faster surfaces, but struggle on clay - a decent doubles pairing)
8. Belgium (Vliegen was arguably the revelation of the weekend's matches. Great result against Australia, but the Aussies are arguably a shadow of the team that did so well in Davis Cup through the 1990s and into the 2000s).

So, looking at things again, based on the next round's fixtures, Germany are 'dark-horses', whilst Spain arguably are 'outsiders' this time round.

.

I have gone for Spain and this is mainly down to the depth of their team i was thinking of going for USA but when it comes to away ties they struggle.When Spain get Rafa back they have a great team in players like Nadal,Robredo,Verdasco,Ferrer and Lopez.Also in recent years the Spaniards have become much better on the hardcourts and quicker surfaces this was proven with Nadal getting to the Wimbledon final last year and he also won the masters series hardcourt tournament in canada in 2005.

I just think Spain, no reason why, they're just my pick ;)

I predicted a USA/Germany final from the start and will stick with that

So far, 11 votes spread across 6 different teams! Goes to show how difficult it is to predict a winner this year, and how open the contest is.

What about Chiudinelli? He nearly knocked out Spain, winning both of his singles and nearly pulling of the doubles win, too. Of course, it's hard to say what the Ferrer match would have been like, if that had not been a dead rubber, but still . . . If he could continue that kind of play on a consistent basis, Wawrinka was fit and Fed decided to commit to trying to win a DC title, that would make a formidable Swiss team. (Quite a lot of if's there, I know.)

I've gone for Russia - and not just 'cos of the man in my sig (although he helps :wub: ) If Safin is on form (ie. not having some sort of mental breakdown), and Youzhny recovers from injury (???) then they have a pretty good team. Andreev was a bit of a revelation over the w/e, and Tursunov - much as he runs kinda hot and cold - can sometimes pull off some shock winners (ie. against the USA!) Like someone mentioned their doubles team isn't so solid, but hopefully their singles players can kind of compensate for that!

It might help if Davydenko decided to play - any idea why he isn't?

Allez France! We have quite a good record at this event and Gasquet, Monfils and Grosjean have what it takes to create upsets.

Otherwise, yes the USA won't be easy to beat while Russia still a tough draw.

I read somewhere that the Argies have home ties in the semi and final if they get past Sweden - dunno if that's true.

If it is, I'd imagine them to beat USA in the semis having chosen a clay surface, and then get revenge over Russia in the final.

I'd have to agree that the USA would have a tough time winning in Argentina on clay. Clay seems to have been their Achilles heel in recent years.

USA all the way altho' I'd obviously like Spain to win.

davis cup 07 to russia, over spain in the final ;)

I voted USA and they are my team! I think it will be tough but Spain at home is a pretty good draw having the Bryan brothers as our doubles team is always a massive help so is A Rods current form so I am going with USA to end the title drought

USA over Russia in the final - but going by my feeble oferings in the Predictions contests that probably means they'll be beaten in the next round :yikes:

offerings even :doh:

Argentina will have a home tie for the semis against either of USA or Spain and against Russia in the final if Russia make it that far.

Russia have a home tie against France which they should win. In the semis it will be a home tie against Germany or away against Belgium. Either way, they should win that as well given how strong their team is.

So it looks likely that Argentina will have home ties for both semis and finals. The last time they lost at home was way back in 1998 so it certainly makes them favourites to win the DC this year. With Nalbandian coming back and Canas, Acasuso and del Potro all playing really well in the 1st round, they've got the depth to match Russia.

Spain could possibly beat Argentina if they play on clay. Nadal, Robredo and Ferrer could prove to be more than a handful. I'm actually hoping we get this semi because we might finally get a chance to see a Nadal-Nalby match. But Spain beating USA would be a huge upset, especially given Nadal's record against Blake.

RT, good post. Sweden away is still a potentially tricky tie, as I'd expect the Swedes to play on an ultra-fast hardcourt - with Joachim, Thomas and Robin in singles and Bjorkman in doubles that's a tough tie - Argentina would probably be OK if Nalbandian plays it. If they get past Sweden they do look favourites, given that those ties will be at home.

Whilst the US are looking v good this year, it is tough to win a Davis Cup tie away from home - not impossible, it has been done recently, but its v tough for a non clay-courting side to go to say Spain or Argentina and win on the red stuff.

France or Argentina for me!

They (ARG) are a ridiculously strong team at home and all they're players are GREAT davis cup players. It almosts seems like DC is more important than the slams to them. The return of canas and the rise of del potro along with the already established Nalbandian makes them a very strong team in my eyes. Chucho isnt bad either and Callieri is reliable and who knows one (or even both) of Gaudio or Coria might recover to their old selves

MrI, yes Sweden won't be easy to beat at home. As you said, if Nalbandian plays, Argentina will be favourites. If he's missing again, all bets are off.

The most likely final is Argentina vs Russia but there will definitely be a few surprises along the way. The format of the DC with ties taking place months apart is what makes it really interesting. Players who performed really well in the 1st round could be woefully out of form by the time the next tie comes along. You could lose a few key players to injury. And there's always going to be some lesser known player or two (like Vliegen, Chiudinelli and JMDP) who will come up with something extra special.