New-look Davis Cup fails to fill stands on day one

TENNIS: The revamped Davis Cup began with a few hiccups but no disasters in Madrid yesterday.

After all the talk about the new, week-long finals format and the influence of Barcelona star Gerard Pique’s investment firm Kosmos – which persuaded the International Tennis Federation to partner with the company in the World Cupstyle event – the first three ties were played at the Caja Magica.

Most of the scepticism had been about whether fans would travel to watch their countries at a neutral venue and whether the atmosphere could come anywhere close to matching the traditional home-and-away format.

The initial results were largely positive. The clash between Russia and Croatia on the largest court, which seats more than 12,000 spectators, felt a little flat but the stands were around half full and the Croatia fans, in particular, were noisy.

The tie on the second court, pitting Canada against Italy, was lively throughout, as was

Belgium’s clash with Colombia. On court, Belgium accounted for Colombia 2-1 in the three-team group that contains Australia.

David Goffin (pictured) and Steve Darcis took the singles for Belgium before the world’s top doubles pairing of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah won the final rubber for Colombia 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) against Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.

The South Americans’ next

Group D assignment was against Australia overnight (AEST).

Defending champions Croatia were severely weakened by the withdrawal of Marin Cilic through injury and beaten 3-0 by Russia, who were missing world No.5 Daniil Medvedev.

Canada claimed top honours on the day with an impressive 2-1 victory over Italy to sit top of Group F.

World No.150 Vasek Pospisil beat world No.12 Fabio Fognini 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 before Denis Shapovalov edged world No.8 Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-5).