Spain vs Croatia – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Davis Cup Finals
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THE FACTS
When is Spain vs Croatia on and what time does it start? Spain vs Croatia will take place on Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 – not before 15:00 (UK)
Where is Spain vs Croatia taking place? Spain vs Croatia will take place at Martin Carpena in Malaga, Spain
What surface is Spain vs Croatia being played on? Spain vs Croatia will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Spain vs Croatia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Spain vs Croatia
What channel is Spain vs Croatia on in the UK? The Davis Cup Finals will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Spain vs Croatia in the UK? Tennis Channel subscribers can stream the Davis Cup Finals
THE LOWDOWN
With reigning Davis Cup champions Russia absent from this season’s tournament, last season’s runners-up Croatia are the number one ranked side in Malaga. Croatia have an incredibly strong, well-balanced team this week with the addition of former world number 12 Borna Coric, winner of the Cincinnati Masters back in August, who missed last year’s finals through injury. Borna Gojo was the surprise package of the finals last season but the third choicer is unlikely to gate a match this time around, especially as Croatia are packing perhaps the best, most experienced doubles partnership here. Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic are coming off finishing runner-up to Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury at the ATP Finals ranked fifth and eighth, respectively.
Hosts Spain will sorely miss world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the Davis Cup Finals after the Spaniard ended his season before the ATP Finals. Stand-in first option Pablo Carreno Busta won the biggest title of his career this year at the Canada Masters but he has struggled to find that intensity consistently since. Second option Roberto Bautista Agut is a well-loved and seasoned international tennis player who always puts his all in for Spain but at world number 21 the hosts may wish their players current rankings were switched around. Doubles specialist Marcel Granollers may partner up with one of Carreno Busta or Bautista Agut in a doubles decider but either of Albert Ramos-Vinolas or Pedro Martinez could put in a real shift in front of home fans.
THE PREDICTION
Croatia look the team to stop here in Malaga, especially considering they reached the final last season with a weaker side than now and against stronger opposition. Being able to count on Mektic and Pavic to win most doubles deciders well takes plenty of pressure off of the singles players here but former world number three Marin Cilic is well-versed and capable in high-pressured situations whilst Borna Coric will not want 2022 to end in what has been probably his best season on tour despite retuning from surgery. Carlos Alcaraz’ absence may well be felt early here and the Spaniards have already commented on their dislike for the quick surface in Malaga. Hard indoor conditions suit Cilic over Carreno Busta and the Croat leads their head-to-head 4-1. RBA vs Coric looks the tightest of the matches on Wednesday but the Croat claimed their most recent meeting in straight sets on his way to the Cincinnati title in August to level their head-to-head at 4-4. Home fans should aid Spain in both causes but Mektic and Pavic look the trump cards here. Back Croatia to knock the hosts out early with a win, probably 2-1.
