Croatia vs Italy – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Davis Cup Finals
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Croatia vs Italy on and what time does it start? Croatia vs Italy will take place on Wednesday 14th September, 2022 – not before 15:00 (UK)
Where is Croatia vs Italy taking place? Croatia vs Italy will take place at Unipol Arena in Bologna, Italy
What surface is Croatia vs Italy being played on? Croatia vs Italy will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Croatia vs Italy? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Croatia vs Italy
What channel is Croatia vs Italy on in the UK? TBC
Where can I stream Croatia vs Italy in the UK? TBC
THE LOWDOWN
With the Russian Tennis Federation banned from defending their title, last season’s Davis Cup Finals runner-sup Croatia will fill the mantle of defenders after an excellent, surprising campaign last year. Led by Marin Cilic but propped up masterfully by a relative unknown in Borna Gojo, Croatia stunned Novak Djokovic’s Serbia in the semi-finals last season with a second option victory and a doubles deciding triumph by then world number ones Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic as they beat Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic.
This season sees Marin Cilic step out but a resurgent Borna Coric step in as first option after recently producing a stunning run to the Cincinnati Masters title, his first ATP title since undergoing surgery and missing a year from the tour. The world number 26 is still something of an anomaly but so is 24-year-old Borna Gojo, who comes into this week at a career-high ATP world ranking of 164th. Gojo beat Alexei Popyrin, Lorenzo Sonego and Dusan Lajovic before eventually succumbing to then world number five Andrey Rublev in the final last November and it will be fascinating to see how he fares one year on. Doubles duo Mektic and Pavic have won four titles this season and they are by far one of the best teams in the group stages if a decider is required.
Italy bring a stacked squad to Bologna for what should be a raucous week on home soil if last season’s ATP Finals in Turin are anything to go by. Three top 30 players in world number 11 Jannik Sinner, number 15 Matteo Berrettini and recent Hamburg Open champion Lorenzo Musetti make up one of the highest-ranked teams in the tournament and Sinner especially will be backed as a returning hero after he masterfully stepped in for an injured Berrettini in Turin last November. The 21-year-old has twice beaten Carlos Alcaraz this summer before losing one of the best tennis matches in history to the Spaniard in five sets at the US Open and it could well be that the young rivals meet in the eventual Davis Cup Finals later this year.
Matteo Berrettini is a top 10 player in all but ranking after cruelly missing out on the chance to defend his Wimbledon points this season and Musetti will savour any chance he gets to step up on the off chance that Berrettini suffers another injury setback. Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli make up a surprisingly good doubles duo if deciders are required, although there will be a selection headache for team captain Filippo Volandri with the likes of Sinner and Berrettini available to swap in.
THE PREDICTION
This looks a tough challenge for last season’s runners-up as they will likely miss the experience and solid form of former world number three Marin Cilic. Former world number 12 Borna Coric is an excellent replacement but it remains to be seen how he can perform this week after a disappoint exit at the US Open following his incredible Cincinnati triumph. Italy look like destined finalists with their super-stacked squad and home advantage should make this quite the party in Bologna. Jannik Sinner can be backed to beat Borna Coric and one of Berrettini or Musetti, depending on fitness, should have more than enough to oust Borna Gojo despite the Croat’s heroics last year. Back Italy to win 2-0, although if Croatia can take this to a decider everything changes with Mektic and Pavic at their disposal.
