By Chris Oddo

Photo Credit: Remy de la Mauviniere/AP Photo

 (April 5, 2012)—For the first time in Davis Cup World Group history, all four quarterfinals will be played on crushed red brick. With defending champion Spain, last year’s finalists Argentina, the Czech Republic and France all choosing clay as their surface of choice for this weekend’s competition, expect some long matches, long rallies, clay-caked shoes and filthy socks.

 

Here is a preview of all four of this weekend’s World Group quarterfinals.

 

France vs. USA

Roquebrune, France

Red Clay

H2H: USA leads 8-7

 

The United States is relaxed about having to march into Monte Carlo to play a very deep French team on the slow red clay. Perhaps the picturesque seaside setting is lulling the Americans in to a false sense of comfort? Or, maybe Jim Courier’s squad really does have the goods to pull another noteworthy upset. After February’s shocker against the Swiss it’s hard to count the Americans out, but the loss of Mardy Fish due to fatigue leaves them a little young in the No. 2 slot. It’s sink or swim for Ryan Harrison. The 19-year-old will open the weekend against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga with a chance to make his first top ten win of his career truly epic.

 

But the key match on Friday will be between John Isner and Gilles Simon. If Isner can’t reproduce some of his Davis Cup magic from February, the Americans will be in serious trouble in this tie.

 

Quotable:

“We're a very Zen team.”  – US Captain, Jim Courier

 

Spain vs. Austria

Castellon, Spain

Red Clay

H2H: Austria leads 3-1

You can chuck that head-to-head score out the window. The Spanish are too deep and too good on clay to let this tie slip from their grasp, even without Rafael Nadal.

 

David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro are a combined 17-1 on clay in Davis Cup play, and the Spaniards have won three of the last four Davis Cups.

 

In other words, Austria has its work cut out for them, and then some. As good as Jurgen Melzer and Andreas Haider-Maurer play, whatever they do will likely be overshadowed by the fact that anything they can do, the Spaniards can do better.

 

Spain is bidding to win its 23rd consecutive home tie this weekend. If they achieve the victory, they will move into sole possession of the second-longest home winning streak in Davis Cup history. The Italians, who won 28 straight home ties from 1949 through 1964, currently hold the longest streak.

 

Quotable:

“When we played in Monte Carlo he was playing with his best ranking, he was playing really good so it’s a little bit different now.” – Nicolas Almagro, commenting on the fact that he lost to Jurgen Melzer the last time they played on clay, in straight sets (Monte Carlo, 2011).

 

Czech Republic vs. Serbia

Prague, Czech Republic

Red Clay

H2H: Serbia leads 1-0

 

Serbia dashed the Czech hopes of reaching a second consecutive final in 2010 when they came back from 2-1 down to defeat them en route to their first Davis Cup title. But half of the winning combo on the final Sunday, Novak Djokovic, will be missing this weekend in Prague.

 

The big question: Are Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki up for the challenge of picking up the slack for Djokovic? They certainly have the talent, but with world No. 7 Tomas Berdych and the ever-crafty Radek Stepanek eager to score a measure of revenge, this tie could end up coming down to the wire.

 

Quotable:

“Definitely.” – Radek Stepanek, when asked if he was pleased that Novak Djokovic wouldn’t be playing.

 

Argentina vs. Croatia

Where? Buenos Aires, Argentina

Surface: Red Clay

Head-to-head: Argentina leads 2-0

 

The Argentines own one of Davis Cup’s unhappiest records: they’ve been to the most finals (4) without ever winning the cup. But over the years, in spite of their capacity for breaking the hearts of their fans, they’ve always embraced the event and played some inspiring tennis too. Case in point: Last year’s final in Spain, where every match in the 3-1 loss was a gut-wrenching, emotional rollercoaster.

 

Expect the same desire from team Argentina this year, as Davis Cup veteran David Nalbandian will open the weekend across the net from an out-of-form Marin Cilic in Buenos Aires. Juan Martin del Potro, who finds himself back in the top ten after a long climb back from wrist surgery this week, will take on Ivo Karlovic in the second match.

 

The matchups look good for Argentina on the red clay, as Nalbandian and Del Potro both excel on the surface, while hard-hitting Karlovic and Cilic are better suited for hard-courts.

 

Quotable:

“I think he doesn’t want to run too much or play long rallies, but I will try to do that.” – Juan Martin Del Potro, speaking of his strategy against Ivo Karlovic on clay.