Davis Cup: How does the new format work? | WTA St Petersburg Trophy tips

WTA St Petersburg Trophy
BT Sport 1, 10am Thursday

A new era dawns in men's tennis on Friday morning as the revamped Davis Cup begins with 12 qualifying matches before an 18-team tournament which takes place in November.

The four semi-finalists in last season's event - Croatia, France, Spain and USA - will be joined in the Spanish capital by two wildcard teams - Argentina and Great Britain - and the 12 victorious qualifiers.

The new format has been met with criticism within the sport with many of the top players stating that they are unlikely to play at the Caja Magica at the end of an already bloated ATP season.

Alexander Zverev will turn out for Germany in their qualifying tie with Hungary but with the Madrid 18 yet to be finalised, bookmakers have been reluctant to price up the event.

Aryna Sabalenka is one of the hottest properties in women's tennis and the 20-year-old, who broke into the WTA's top ten at the start of this week, can show why with a commanding victory over Alison van Uytvanck in the St Petersburg Trophy.

Sabalenka, already a champion in Shenzhen this year, has a power-packed game and bookmakers may be reading too much into a loss in her sole meeting with the Belgian. The Belarusian is a better player now and should be strong enough to cover a 2.5-game handicap.

Recommendation
A Sabalenka -2.5 games
2pts 4-5 BoyleSports

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