Spain vs Serbia Preview & Prediction | 2023 Davis Cup Finals | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is Spain vs Serbia on and what time does it start? Spain vs Serbia will take place on Friday 15th September, 2023 – not before 12:00 (UK)
Where is Spain vs Serbia taking place? Spain vs Serbia will take place at Pabellon Fuente de San Luis in Valencia, Spain
What surface is Spain vs Serbia being played on? Spain vs Serbia will take place on an indoor hard court / indoor clay court
Where can I get tickets for Spain vs Serbia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Spain vs Serbia
Where can I watch Spain 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 PREDICTION
Spain were handed a huge blow at the start of the week with the news that world number two Carlos Alcaraz was to pull out of the group stages and without Rafael Nadal here in Valencia a nation that should be top on ability suddenly looked very ordinary in a 0-3 defeat to Czechia. World number 75 Bernabe Zapata Miralles struggled on his debut against a much more comfortable hard-courter in Tomas Machac and Spain will be desperate to see the return of seasoned performer Roberto Bautista Agut in this tough clash with Serbia. World number 25 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will be sorely disappointed with his efforts against number 29 Jiri Lehecka after a straight-sets defeat saw the tie lost 0-2 and insult was added to injury in a three-set defeat in the doubles.
Serbia should be able to count on newly reinstated number one Novak Djokovic after the US Open champion missed Tuesday’s tie with South Korea but they got the job done handily in his absence. In-form Laslo Djere came back from a set down to beat Soonwoo Kwon to back up Dusan Lajovic’s win in the opener and he should thrive as the second option in the coming ties with two opportunities to hand Djokovic the chance to kill both days before doubles are required. Nikola Cacic and Miomir Kecmanovic laboured to a three set victory in the doubles on Tuesday to take a 3-0 whitewash but if a doubles match ever becomes a decider for Serbia this week it is likely that Djokovic will play alongside Cacic to shore things up.
This should have been a blockbuster tie between world number one Novak Djokovic’s Serbia and number two Carlos Alcaraz’ Spain but the world number two’s absence should make it more of a damp squib. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will be desperate to atone for his opening efforts and the Spaniard has the slightest chance of an upset against Djokovic, who comes in from a huge emotional effort at the US Open, but it is likely that the Serb will come through in straight sets. Laslo Djere can be backed to blast through a match with Zapata Miralles but if Spain can get Roberto Bautista Agut fit and firing on court the 35-year-old could make things interesting as he leads their head-to-head 2-0 after winning indoors in Basel this time last season. Djokovic will step in if the doubles becomes a decider, so back Serbia to win the tie.
