France vs Switzerland Preview & Prediction | 2023 Davis Cup Finals | Group Stage
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is France vs Switzerland on and what time does it start? France vs Switzerland will take place on Tuesday 12th September, 2023 – not before 13:00 (UK)
Where is France vs Switzerland taking place? France vs Switzerland will take place at AO Arena in Manchester, UK
What surface is France vs Switzerland being played on? France vs Switzerland will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for France vs Switzerland? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for France vs Switzerland
Where can I watch France vs Switzerland? 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
This will be a fascinating tie in a hugely intriguing Group B that features four teams well capable of making the Finals later this year. It is unclear as to which of world number 34 Adrian Mannarino and number 36 Ugo Humbert is France’s first option but it should be Mannarino on ranking after the veteran enjoyed an excellent summer on tour, reaching two finals in Mallorca and Newport and lifting a third ATP title at the latter. Mannarino is an excellent all-courter but at his most effective on grass, with indoor hardcourts offering him some control but often seeing him overpowered.
Former world number 25 Humbert should be the out-and-out French number one given his talents but he has been fighting tooth-and-nail over the past two seasons to get back inside the top 40 after enduring a woeful 2022, caused in no small part by contracting covid-19 at the Australian Open. Additionally, 19-year-old Arthur Fils is one of the best third options in the competition at his new career-high ATP world ranking of 44th following his first Grand Slam victory at the US Open. The youngster won his maiden ATP title at the Lyon Open in May but he initially impressed on indoor hardcourts in France and team captain Sebastian Grosjean will be keen to find him at least one match this week.
Former world number three Stan Wawrinka will be desperate to perform for his nation at the Davis Cup this year in what could be his last international outing. The 38-year-old moved back up to world number 40 this week after reaching the third round of the US Open and he only recently reached his first tour final since 2019 at the Umag Open to continue his steady charge back up the rankings following several seasons of injury absences. 21-year-old Dominic Stricker set a new career-high ATP world ranking of 90th this week after a remarkable US Open debut saw him reach the round of 16 before defeat in straight sets to Taylor Fritz. Switzerland’s new hope stunned world number seven Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets to make the third round in New York and wins over Alexei Popyrin and Benjamin Bonzi either side of that make a big statement as a promising second option this week in Manchester. World number 101 Marc-Andrea Huesler may bring a poor 11-22 record into the Group Stages but the 27-year-old found the form of his career this time last season to lift an indoor hardcourt title at the Sofia Open and he is a solid extra in case Wawrinka struggles with fitness.
Much of this match rests on which of France’s suddenly forceful line-up is slated to come out as first option here, with Humbert currently listed on the Davis Cup website but Mannarino technically top at world number 34. Humbert certainly has the skills to tackle Stan Wawrinka’s power in these conditions whilst Mannarino should struggle to match the Swiss from the baseline, requiring near-perfect service games to avoid defeat. In the assumption that it is Mannarino who faces Wawrinka, Switzerland’s exciting young prospect Dominic Stricker is no gimme for Ugo Humbert either – making both singles matches very hard calls indeed. France know they have the edge in doubles with seasoned veterans Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Nicolas Mahut capable of beating any pair this week in Group B but Switzerland could throw together two singles players to see if anything sticks. Overall quality through options one to five makes this tie look like France’s to lose but this could come very close indeed. Take France to edge through 2-1.
