Davis Cup 2005

VC Bet have singled out Chile as their dark horses for the 2005 Davis Cup that gets underway at the beginning of March.The South Americans travel to Russia for a tough looking first round tie but that's a match they are well capable of coming through according the firm's tennis guru Paul Moody."The likes of Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez always seem to outdo themselves when playing for their country and they look a sporting option to me."Massu won gold medal in the mens singles at the Athens Olympics and Chile are the reigning World Team Champions.USA are Moody's 5/2 favourites for the 16 team tournament that climaxes in December 2005."It's possible to make a case for the majority of the runners here but I've had to make USA the jollies by virtue of the fact that they look on paper to have the simplest task of getting through to the last eight while the majority of their main rivals all face tough early rounds," he said.Andy Roddick and team mates host Croatia in the first round.Moody reckons that reigning champions Spain could be vulnerable as they get their defence underway in the Slovak Republic."Spain have certainly been handed no gimme in their away match against the Slovaks. Dominik Hrbaty, Karol Kucera and Karol Beck will feel happy taking on anyone at home after knocking out a good German side to reach this stage."Even if Spain get through that then Roger Federer's Swiss team could be tough opponents. If there was another player in the Swiss side who could improve enough through the year to win a singles match or two they would be tough to beat in this competition."Argentina are another side that Moody fancies to find things tough in the early stages."The Argies have strength in depth but there must be a good chance that they will be facing Australia on grass in round two which won't suit."USA 5/2Argentina 5/1Spain 6/1Switzerland 6/1Russia 8/1Australia 8/1Sweden 10/1France 12/1Slovak Republic 16/1Chile 16/1Czech Republic 20/1Croatia 33/1Romania 50/1Belarus 66/1Austria 66/1Netherlands 100/1All quoted. EW 1/2 1,2Get a free bet on the davies cup from VCBet