Grand Slam Professional Tennis Predictions and Picks by Nick Bollettieri. US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open

The biggest story heading into this match-up is the presence of Rafael Nadal and the absence of Tommy Haas. Let’s take a look at the teams and how they stack-up against their competition…

Spain

• Rafael Nadal - Hasn’t played Davis Cup since 2006 and comes into the competition with a 9-5 career record in this international competition. Is playing excellent tennis as of late, reaching the finals at Miami and the semis at Indian Wells. He has a 21-6 record on the year, but so far he has yet to win a title. I am sure that will change very soon though as the clay court season is about to begin.
• David Ferrer - Another great Spanish player that is ranked inside the top 10. He has very limited experience in the Davis Cup, playing only five matches in his career. His movement is his biggest asset and it will be on full display this weekend.
• Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco - These two will team up for the doubles match on Saturday, and they are a good combo. Both have big lefty forehands and move very well. Neither has played that much doubles this year, but as a team they should be solid.

Germany

• Nicolas Kiefer - The veteran comes in with a 4-4 record on the year, but everyone knows that he is capable of winning. He hasn’t been that successful in Davis Cup play, sporting a 9-12 record but don’t let that fool you. He will give Nadal everything he’s got in the first match.
• Philipp Kohlschreiber - Comes in ranked a career high of #25 in the world. He’s already won a title this year, and with his monumental win over Roddick at the Aussie Open you know what he is capable of doing. Since that win at the Australian, Kohlschreiber has struggled going 3-5 and losing his first match in three separate tournaments.
• Philipp Petzschner - Will team with Kohlschreiber for the doubles match on Saturday, to make an all-Philipp team! Is ranked #121 in the world, and hasn’t played any ATP level singles matches this year. He does, however, sport a 5-2 record in Davis Cup action.
• Michael Berrer - Currently, Berrer is not scheduled to play but you never ever know. He is a tough out in any tournament, and comes in ranked #69 in the world.

Like I said before, without Haas the German team isn’t as formidable as they have been in the past. Kiefer and Kohlschreiber are tough, but against Nadal and Ferrer the edge definitely goes to Spain. The one thing the Germans have going for them is that this is going to take place in Germany indoors on a hard court. You know if it was in Spain it would have been on clay, so that should help.

Overall, I like Spain to advance here.