The two semi-finals of the Davis Cup 2018 could be balanced matters. This is mainly due to the lack of the world’s number one.
Yannick Noah is a great sportsman. But also a great pragmatist. And after the draw for the Davis Cup semi-final between France and Spain in Lille, the great sportsman said: “Rafa is one of the best players of all time, and the first thing we thought of when we won against Italy was: Wow, we’re playing against Rafa in the Davis Cup”.
Of course, this refers to world number one Rafael Nadal, who was injured after two sets in the semi-final of the US Open due to a knee injury. And the Spanish team in Lille is not available.
What called the pragmatist in Yannick Noah to the plan: “It will be a tough match, very close, now that Rafa is not there”, said the 1983 French Open winner, “If you look at the direct comparisons, it is really close. But as you know, the Davis Cup is crazy.”
What motivated Yannick Noah in his misery (with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils two top players are not available) to nominate a man for whom the crazy seems quite normal: Benoit Paire. He will face Pablo Carreno Busta on Friday (live on DAZN), while Lucas Pouille and Roberto Bautista Agut will compete in the second singles match.
Injury problems also exist elsewhere, especially in the USA. Jim Courier’s team will have to play Croatia in Zadar – and will have to do without John Isner, who will become a father for the first time in the coming days. Now Jack Sock has also cancelled, since his successes with Mike Bryan at his side a sure candidate for a colon.
So it’s up to Steve Johnson, who has recently shown himself in good form. Even though he lost to Dominic Thiem in round two after five hard sets at the US Open. Johnson starts with Borna Coric.
Afterwards, Marin Cilic, the best single player of the match, will try to give the Croatians back the feeling of 2016. At that time, Cilic and Co. made it into the final, but lost to Argentina in the end. Opponent of Cilic will be Frances Tiafoe.