A busy weekend of Davis Cup action gets underway today and in terms of the World Group, which is the premier group of the competition, the action involves the opening two singles rubbers. By the time you read this article the opening singles rubbers between Australia and Germany in Brisbane, Italy and Japan in Morioka and Kazakhstan and Switzerland in Astana will be complete. Great Britain’s tie against Spain in Marbella commences this morning and home hopes were dealt a blow when star man Kyle Edmunds had to withdraw due to not recovering from his Australian Open heroics in time. Liam Broady faces Ramos-Vinolas and Cameron Norrie faces Bautista Agut in today’s singles rubbers and the Brits will do well to win sets today, never mind their respective matches against two vastly experienced clay veterans.

Defending Champions France get their campaign underway this afternoon in Albertville, France against the Netherlands and Pouille faces de Bakker and Gasquet faces Haase and France should head in to Saturday’s doubles rubber with a 2-0 lead if both matches go to form. 2016 champions and 2017 finalists Belgium get their campaign underway this afternoon in Liege, Belgium against Hungary and given the home side’s pedigree in the competition over the last couple of season I expect Belgium will justify favouritism again and progress to the second round without too much drama.