The 2023 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage will take place across four European cities – Bologna, Manchester, Split and Valencia – from 12-17 September, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the 2023 Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga. The Final 8 will take place from 21-26 November.
The quest to be crowned 2023 world champions is very much on. This is Group C under the spotlight…
Background
Three of the four teams in Group C this year also competed in Valencia during the 2022 Davis Cup Finals, with Spain advancing to the Final 8 (alongside eventual champions Canada).
Serbia and Korea, Rep. finished in third and fourth place respectively in what was Group B in 2022. Spain recorded 3-0 victories against both Serbia and Korea Rep., while Serbia defeated Korea Rep. 2-1.
Potential match ups
If it does not happen before, the fourth instalment of the box office classic between the world’s best two male players – Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic – is set to take place in Valencia.
Young pretender Alcaraz will line up for Spain alongside Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Roberto Bautista Agut and Marcel Granollers, while grand master Djokovic will team up with Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic, Dusan Lajovic and Hamad Medjedovic for Serbia.
Both Alcaraz and Djokovic will spearhead their nations’ bid to reach the Final 8 and if this showdown is anything like July’s blockbuster Wimbledon men’s final, the next instalment of this epic rivalry is not to be missed.
Aside from going head-to-head with each other, Alcaraz and Djokovic are also likely to draw swords with Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka and Soonwoo Kwon of Korea, Rep, who are the highest-ranked players in their respective teams.
Away from the Alcaraz-Djokovic glare and those likely to be their team’s No. 1 player, there are others on show who all have delivered for their nations previously. The likes of Bautista Agut, Djere, Tomas Machac and Korea, Rep. doubles duo Jisung Nam and Minkyu Song spring immediately to mind.
Incidentally, Czechia’s team has a very youthful feel to it with Lehecka, Machac and Jakub Mensik, who could make his Davis Cup debut in Valenca, boasting a combined age of just 60.
It is safe to say that Group C has a little bit of everything going on. Should be a cracking spectacle.
Who is saying what?
Korea, Rep. captain Kim Youngjun:
“I think the Korean team has stronger teamwork than any other country. I will do my best to lead and make the Korean team one team, with coaching staff, trainers and players. Team Korea has achieved great results in advancing to the finals for two consecutive years.
“We will do our best to reach the Davis Cup Final 8. Fortunately, the venue for the Group Stage is Valencia – the same as last year – so we will be familiar with the stadium and environment. Based on last year, we gained confidence that we can do it.”