Croatia vs USA Preview & Prediction | 2023 Davis Cup Finals | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is Croatia vs USA on and what time does it start? Croatia vs USA will take place on Wednesday 13th September, 2023 – not before 12:00 (UK)
Where is Croatia vs USA taking place? Croatia vs USA will take place at Arena Gripe Sports Centre in Split, Croatia
What surface is Croatia vs USA being played on? Croatia vs USA will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Croatia vs USA? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Croatia vs USA
Where can I watch Croatia vs USA? All matches can be watched on Tennis Channel International’s Pay TV, while all Great Britain matches will be televised and streamed on BBC platforms
THE PREDICTION
2021 Davis Cup champions Croatia come into a tough Group D looking seriously underpowered this week with former top option Marin Cilic still recovering from injury and Croatian number one Borna Coric missing. 25-year-old Borna Gojo set a new career-high ATP world ranking of 77th this week after a fabulous debut run to the round of 16 at the US Open but he will likely struggle as first option here despite his excellent recent international campaigns as Croatia’s number two. 18-year-old Dino Prizmic comes in for his group stage debut at a career-high ATP world ranking of 168th after enjoying an excellent rise up the rankings this season and he could well prove the difference as Gojo has done before him. The teenager only recently won a Challenger title at Banja Luka and he impressed with a run to the quarter-finals of the Umag Open in July as a clear up-and-comer.
World number 11 Frances Tiafoe leads the line for the USA this week alongside world number 13 Tommy Paul as the highest-ranked one-two in the competition. The USA have won a record 32 Davis Cup titles but none since 2007 to heap a huge amount of pressure on Tiafoe, playing number one in Taylor Fritz’ absence, but the 25-year-old tends to thrive in these conditions. Both Tiafoe and Paul lost to rising star Ben Shelton at the US Open, with Tiafoe’s defeat coming as a particular surprise, and that should further motivate both Americans to impress this week. New Doubles number one Austin Krajicek and US Open champion Rajeev Ram make for a frightening prospect of doubles are required here.
Croatia’s doubles pairing of Ivan Dodig, Krajicek’s US Open doubles partner last week, and Mate Pavic should play their part this week as a fearsome combination but they look seriously hampered in the singles – particularly against the USA and Netherlands. Tiafoe and Paul rarely get the opportunity to play top billing for their nation but Taylor Fritz’ absence could actually be the spark required to see a dominant performance by the American side this week. Tiafoe should have too much for Gojo, although the Croat has a knack for upsets whilst representing his country, whilst Paul should be able to coast past Prizmic. Home advantage favours Croatia here but back the USA to win outright.
