Analysis for Levy-Vinciguerra (Davis Cup)

Head-to-head record 2:0

What an amazing comeback in Malmo – if this tie goes to the deciding rubber, the responsibility lies on Andreas Vinciguerra. He was an impressive junior, winning the European junior championships and making the final of the junior Australian Open when he was 17, when he finished as the number 6 in the junior rankings. The left-hander has won one singles title and reached his highest singles ATP-ranking in 2001, when he became the number 33 in the world. He has experienced significant problems with a back and knees injury. After undergoing several knee operations, Andreas Vinciguerra made his comeback last November, playing club tennis here in Malmo. Very few people thought that he would make it back into the Davis Cup team and even fewer could have conceived what a strong performance he would put on in his first international match since October 2006. Amazingly, Vinciguerra, was just two points away from a victory in the deciding set. It was a stellar comeback against the solid player and we don’t see a reason why he shouldn’t be even more successive against one class lower player Harel Levy. The match will be played behind closed doors after Swedish organisers were not allowed to sell tickets. Only media, sponsors and guests of the players and tennis federations will be permitted in the Baltic Hall which is something that surely won´t help the hometown son of Malmo. However, Vinciguerra played like he did during his prime time a couple of years ago, dominating points with his stellar forehand. He also served extremely well, winning a lot of points on his first serve with his knee showing no signs of injury whatsoever and his trademark quick feet also on show. If he remains fully fit, he should be able to defeat Levy, who is just the mediocre player in our eyes. Swede´s fitness is questionable in case of another long battle but we still believe he should be the big favourite in this rubber. 1.7 and more is good enough for us.