Bologna Finals: Spain has slipped out of the top seeds in the updated rankings. Defending champions Italy are number 1
The dream match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna could happen well before the final. It could even happen right away, in the opening round. The draw for the matches between the magnificent eight national teams will take place tomorrow in the Emilian capital, in Piazza Maggiore, at 12 noon, and the national team rankings were updated today. Italy is still firmly in the lead and will be the No. 1 seed, but something behind it has changed. Until yesterday, Spain would also have been seeded in the draw, but in the updated rankings it has fallen to tenth place, behind five of the eight national teams that will face each other in Bologna on November 18. Therefore, behind Italy, Germany will be seeded number two, France number three, and either Argentina or the Czech Republic number four. Why this tie? Because the South American and European teams have the same number of points (412) and have played the same number of matches (13) in the current ranking period. Therefore, a draw will be held to determine which of these two nations will be seeded number 4.
The unseeded national teams will include the loser of the draw between Argentina and the Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium, and Austria. The four seeded national teams cannot meet each other in the quarterfinals. Seed 1 (Italy) will be placed in row 1, seed 2 (Germany) will be placed in row 8. Seeds 3 (France) and 4 (Argentina or Czech Republic) will be drawn at random on rows 3 and 6, and will end up either on Italy’s side or Germany’s. Therefore, the Azzurri, two-time defending champions coached by Filippo Volandri, will make their debut on Wednesday, November 19, against either Argentina or the Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium, or Austria. There is a danger of facing Carlos Alcaraz right away (assuming the world number one is present in Bologna). If they win, the Azzurri’s semifinal is scheduled for Friday, November 21, with the final on Sunday, November 23.
