Strengths and weaknesses of the Netherlands, the new and distant challenge that comes for Argentina in the Davis Cup

The Argentine team continues to celebrate the worked victory against Norway by the Qualifiers 2025 of the Davis Cup. Beyond the presence of Casper Ruud, the number 5 in the world, Argentina was the clear favorite to keep the pass to the next instance, but the remarkable performance of former number 1 of the Junior world Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, 18, what He suffered until the fifth point. Therefore, the always measured Javier Franco exploded with joy in the end, there was a lot of emotion in the debutante Mariano Navone, Hugs everywhere and even a photo of the players with the fans present in Oslo. That success, however, will soon be left behind and the hawks will focus on their next goal.

“Obviously I know because the calendar marks it, but I’m not going to go here for a couple of long weeks. There is still time, the boys are still in the circuit … this is to enjoy. When I was appointed Captain, at the press conference I said that I was not going to choking the moments and this is one that I want to live with great intensity, “said Frana, still about the cement of Fjellhamar Arena. Once those” long weeks spend “, will start thinking about Netherlandsthe rival in the second round of the Qualifiersas a visitor, between September 12 and 14. It is the previous step to reach Davis Cup endings that will be played in Bologna in November.

The Dutch team will be of a level higher than Norway. It is the current runner -up and, although it does not count on its ranks with a top 10 As Ruud, he has two syglistas -Stallon Griekspoor (46°) y Botic van de Zandschulp (84 °)- That they can be dangerous and a great double fashion Wesley Koolhof who was Wimbledon champion and world number 1 in that specialty. Koolhof made a partner with Van de Zandschulp at the end of last year, but he could also play with other specialists such as those experienced Jean-Julien Rojer, Triple Grand Slam champion, and Matwe Middle or also Sem Verbeek, The 40 of the world.

Another of the great difficulties for Argentina will be the surface, which is expected to be similar to that of Oslo: fast court, under ceiling, low pique. It may even be even faster, being that Netherlands do not have any player who feels comfortable playing in a somewhat slower court among his figures, as Norway had it with Ruud, a double finalist of Roland Garros.

Anyway, Frana must first look at the same. There are more than seven months for the visit of the Argentine team to the Netherlands, an eternity in the vertiginous ATP circuit, and with the passing of the months the rookie Captain will answer himself questions that still have no answer.

Francisco closing it He is the best Argentine tennis player of the moment and appears as a fixed for the singles, but … will he hold the good yields that took him so high? What will happen to Sebastián Báeza brick powder specialist who lowers his level in fast courts and is searching to become a more complete tennis player? AND Tomás Etcheverry, needed to find alternatives to your solidity from the baseline?

Behind them three, those who had a more regular performance in recent times, appears Mariano Navone, protagonist of a gigantic leap in 2024 and who greatly handled the pressure of having to play the fifth point against Norway in his first Davis Cup. Then, Facundo Díaz Acosta and Francisco Comesaña They seem to be much further in the captain’s consideration, although in seven months many things can happen.

A certainty that Frana has and his entire coaching staff is doubles, who took a quality leap with the return of Horacio Zeballos. Before the resignation of Machi González to play Davis, there are no doubts: Zeballos, former world number 1, will make a duo with Andrés Molteni of not mediating unforeseen. Onion He reached three Grand Slam finals with Marcel Granollers, falling precisely into one of them – Wimbledon 2023 – to the Dutch Koolhof (and the British Neal Skupski), and is currently the number 7 of the ATP ranking. Molteni, meanwhile, Figure 22. Together they won two titles -atlanta 2016 and Buenos Aires 2018- and did not leave Chances to the Norwegians Ruud and Durasovic, two singles specialists. They are a guarantee.

Unlike the series with Norway, which was uncomfortable for the Argentines because it was played on a quick day before the start of the South American tournament tour of brick dust, the crossing with the Netherlands will arrive after the US Open and the events and the events Previous in the United States and Canada, to also be played on cement.

With the Davis Cup finals in sight, all albicelest tennis players are expected to be available to travel to Dutch terrain. Although, of course, much for September and Frana still prioritizes to continue celebrating his first victory as a captain.