Occupying the No. 1 singles spot, Jaume Munar impressed in a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Jiri Lehecka before narrowly losing to third-ranked Alexander Zverev in a pair of tiebreakers. With Carreño Busta and Munar each going 1-1 in the lead up, doubles could very well decide the fate of this final-round battle.
Marcel Granollers notably won all four doubles matches he played during his nation’s most recent title run six years ago. The 39-year-old, who triumphed at Roland Garros and the US Open with Argentine partner Horacio Zeballos earlier this season, has joined forces with Pedro Martinez to claim a pair of deciders—against Czecha Thursday and again Saturday over Germany.
Likely to stand across the net if singles action doesn’t determine a winner: Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. While the two are yet to step out on court in Bologna, Bolelli and Vavassori have the advantage of being regular tour partners with three Grand Slam runner-up showings on their team resume.
Italy holds a 7-6 lifetime edge, with Spain taking their most recent tie in the 2006 World Group Play-offs. The hosts are aiming to become the first country to win three consecutive titles since the U.S. clinched five straight from 1968-72.
