Italy vs Serbia Betting Preview & Prediction | 2023 Davis Cup Finals | Semi-Final
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THE FACTS
When is Italy vs Serbia on and what time does it start? Italy vs Serbia will take place on Saturday 25th November, 2023 – not before 11:00 (UK)
Where is Italy vs Serbia taking place? Italy vs Serbia will take place at Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain
What surface is Italy vs Serbia being played on? Italy vs Serbia will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Italy vs Serbia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Italy vs Serbia
Where can I watch Italy vs Serbia? 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 LOWDOWN
Italy relied heavily on their star top option in world number four Jannik Sinner, who beat Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets on Thursday before partnering up impressively in the doubles alongside Lorenzo Sonego. Young Matteo Arnaldi was given the nod ahead of Sonego and Lorenzo Musetti in the opening match and he played well before suffering from some poor decisions against Botic van de Zandschulp, who saved math points in a three-set result for The Netherlands.
Serbia knew they could rely on world number one Novak Djokovic to win his singles match and they will have backed him to claim a doubles decider if required, were it not for the heroics of Miomir Kecmanovic. The 24-year-old is an excellent player on his day but after a frustrating season his performance in beating Great Britain’s Jack Draper in two tiebreaks on Thursday was a huge surprise. Djokovic, of course, blasted through his singles match over an out of form Cam Norrie to seal the tie 2-0 and his desire for victory this weekend was there for all to see as he confronted opposing fans during and after the match.
THE PREDICTION
Miomir Kecmanovic’s inclusion as second option was particularly surprising as world number three Laslo Djere would have been the form choice to make, leaving Serbia’s Saturday selection up in the air. Kecmanovic will likely partner Djokovic in a doubles decider either way considering the pair joined forces at the Paris Masters earlier this month and Italy are likely to send out Sonego and Sinner again after their strong showing on Thursday. If there was a player out there right now capable of beating Novak Djokovic it is Sinner, who beat the Serb in the group stages of the ATP Finals last week, but the Serb won their later final in relative comfort after similarly ousting Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals to pick up a record seventh ATP Finals crown.
Knock-out Djokovic is a different beast to round robin Djokovic and the 36-year-old has already expressed his serious desire to win the Davis Cup for Serbia – particularly as he looks towards an Olympic year in 2024. With the opening second option match a big question mark here back Djokovic to win his match over Sinner, over whom he leads a 3-1 head-to-head record, and cast his aura in the doubles if required.
BETTING TIP: SERBIA TO WIN
