Davis Cup Preview: USA v. Great Britain

The United States will be taking on Great Britain in the Davis Cup Round of 16 starting on Friday. This is an odd tie as it involves red clay and a baseball stadium, two things that normally aren't associated with American tennis. Something that is associated with American tennis is success, which should be apparent in this tie.

LOCATION: PETCO Park, San Diego, California, United States of America

TEAMS
United States: John Isner, Sam Querrey, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan
Great Britain: Andy Murray, James Ward, Kyle Edmund, Colin Fleming

FRIDAY
On Friday, we will most likely see Andy Murray take on Sam Querrey and John Isner take on James Ward. There are some potential shake-ups to this lineup as Kyle Edmund has been showing some good form on the Futures tour and is a big fan of the clay. Don't be surprised if Edmund takes Ward's spot on Day 1. However, for the Americans, Isner did have to retire in the Australian Open and could potentially be replaced by Donald Young, who has accompanied the team to San Diego. Nevertheless, expect the American Number 1 to defeat the British Number 2, whether it's Isner or Querrey taking on Edmund or Ward. The Brits could get a point on Day 1, as well, as Murray would be taking on Querrey or Young. Andy Murray has never had very good results on the clay, and Sam Querrey has beaten Murray in the past, so things look bright for the Americans. However, Murray is a Grand Slam champion and a former World Number 2, so expect him to raise his game in this situation.

SATURDAY
In the doubles rubber, we'll most likely see a matchup of the Bryan brothers and a British team comprised of Colin Fleming and Andy Murray. The Bryan brothers went 0-2 in Davis Cup action last year and had a 3rd Round exit at the Australian Open, so they are definitely a vulnerable team coming into this tie. It will still be a very tough ask for Fleming and Murray, as you can never underestimate the Bryans. The Brits certainly have the firepower and ability to defeat the Americans and give themselves a big advantage in the tie.

SUNDAY
If the tie is over before action on Sunday, it would be in favor of the Americans. But if it does come down to the 1's versus the 2's, it'll provide for 2 good matches. If Isner is healthy, then he'll take on Murray and Querrey will face either Edmund or Ward, depending on how their match goes on Friday. Querrey will be heavily favored in the 2nd match of the day, but in the 1st match it'll be a toss-up. John Isner has defeated guys like Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on the clay in Davis Cup, and both of those guys have good results on the red stuff. It's no fun to repeat, but IF Isner is healthy, expect him to be able to overpower a diminished Andy Murray, and lift the Americans in the tie.

Americans doing well on a baseball field is something we are used to seeing, and we will see it again this weekend as the United States will end up in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup, with or without John Isner. The United States will then be forced to go on the road to either Argentina or Italy in what would be another winnable tie. There hasn't been a lot of success in the Davis Cup for the USA recently, is this the year things will turn around?