Davis Cup 2021, Semi-Final, Saturday
Germany vs Russia without Alexander Zverev – do the men in black, red and gold really have a realistic chance of getting through their first Davis Cup semi-final in 14 years this weekend? There are two, maybe even three matches on the programme on Saturday.
After Dominik Koepfer has hopefully submitted against Andrey Rublev, it is Jan-Lennard Struff’s turn. His opponent is none other than the world number 2, Daniil Medvedev. The odds couldn’t be clearer and yet the underdog is hoping for a small chance. Can I give him that in my betting tip?
Was everything really better in the past? This is the majority opinion among tennis fans when they discuss the Davis Cup. Let me put it diplomatically: Everything used to be different.
Since 2019, there has been this new form of the Davis Cup, which will now find its winner in Madrid. After the semi-finals, of course, in which Germany has also found its place. Dominik Koepfer and Jan-Lennard Struff will compete in the singles.
Especially Struff as the second player has a real Herculean task ahead of him, because he has to try to defeat Daniil Medvedev. So he should succeed in doing what he failed to do against the world number one
In Germany’s 2-1 win over Serbia, Struff had the thankless task of taking on Novak Djokovic in the match. He tried a lot, but at 2-6, 4-6, the Djoker was simply superior to him.
On the other hand, the player from Warstein showed strong nerves when he was sent onto the court at 0-1 against Austria. Thanks to his 7-5, 6-4 win over Dennis Novak, the German duo brought home the victory a little later.
While Koepfer got a break in the quarter-finals against England, Struff had to keep his nerves under control again. Peter Gojowczyk had lost clearly against Daniel Evans. With Cameron Norrie, of all people, the number 12 in the world was waiting for Struff.
But the 31-year-old showed that the Davis Cup is not only about the international ranking. He beat the world-class player 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 and earned a lot of applause.
Struff already showed that he is in good form at the ATP tournament in St. Petersburg at the end of October, where he eliminated two top men, Alexander Bublik and Denis Shapovalov, before losing in three sets to Tylor Fritz.
Daniil Medvedev will be a different kettle of fish, and Struff has felt that more than once. He won only one of five duels, and that was in Halle this year. The Russian won three times, but not in two sets.
A good sign for the German that he was able to keep up several times. Nevertheless, the performances that the US Open champion showed in the Davis Cup were quite impressive. In contrast to Rublev, he had no problems at all.
6-0, 6-2 against Emilio Gomez from Ecuador and 6-2, 7-6 against Pablo Carreno Busta – the preliminary round was solid. Mikael Ymer fought him sacrificially later, but in the end the favourite triumphed 6-4, 6-4.
Three matches, three straight wins in two sets, that’s exactly what the Russian federation had hoped for from Medvedev. Was he able to put aside his fatigue from the ATP Finals one last time before going on a short holiday?
In Turin, he lost the final in two sets against Alexander Zverev. If Russia wins against Germany and Serbia wins against Croatia at the same time, it will be another top match.
Then Medvedev would probably play Novak Djokovic again! The first hurdle, however, is Jan-Lennard Struff. Will Medvedev find the necessary concentration? The bookmakers have only 1.10 odds left on a win for the favourite.
If Daniil Medvedev has one of his best days, Jan-Lennard Struff can probably do little about it. Mikael Ymer, however, has shown that it can be close against the world No. 2.
Almost nobody can beat his serve. However, the Davis Cup has its own laws, and Struff also surprised against Cameron Norrie.
Since the German looked good in the last duels with Medvedev, I trust him to keep the match open for a long time. Maybe he can even pull off the big sensation?
My tip: We will see more than 19 games!
