by Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
Davis Cup is one of the grandest stages in tennis for the discipline of doubles. The United States vs. Colombia Davis Cup series in Reno, Nevada will showcase the best of the best in doubles.
Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal, the Wimbledon and U.S. Open champions from 2019 and one of the top doubles teams in the world, are part of Team Colombia and anticipated to play against Americans Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock, who individually are two of the best doubles players in the world
Ram normally plays with Joe Salisbury of Great Britain and the pair is the reigning U.S. Open champions while also having the 2020 Australian Open on their resume.
While juggling a singles career – and injuries – Sock is regarded as one of the best current players on the doubles court, despite an ATP doubles ranking of No. 146. He won two Wimbledon titles – in 2014 and 2018 – and the U.S. Open in 2018 (the 2018 titles with Mike Bryan). “I sincerely think that Jack Sock is the best doubles player in the world,” said former U.S. No. 1 John Isner at last month’s Dallas Open, where the two paired together.
The presumed Farah/Cabal vs. Sock/Ram doubles match will undoubtedly be the marquee match-up for the USA-Colombia series. It will be the third match of the best-of-five match series to open play on Saturday, March 5.
“They’ve obviously had a phenomenal career so far, a lot of great results,” said Sock this week of Cabal and Farah.
Of his own doubles play and his pairing with Ram, Sock said, “I definitely trust myself on the doubles court a lot. I’ve only played with Raj once in Turin (Davis Cup in 2021.) I thought we clicked well, opposite styles. We both had a blast playing for our team. I thought we had good energy. I do think we combine well together. We obviously got to play great tennis to beat them because they are solid. I’ll back us most every time.”
With the United States as the heavy favorite to win the opening two singles matches featuring No. 20-ranked Taylor Fritz, No. 39 Tommy Paul or No. 40 Sebi Korda against Colombian players not even ranked in the top 250 in the ATP singles rankings, the doubles rubber will be vital for the visiting team. It will also likely be one of the finest displays of doubles perhaps of the year in pro tennis.
