Davis Cup World Group preview

Safin sustained the injury in last month's Dubai Open

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The Davis Cup World Group reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend.

The United States and holders Spain, both defeated in the first round, are absent, but otherwise the world's top tennis nations are represented.

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Brazil v Australia

Last year's runners-up and 1999 winners Australia take on Brazil in Gustavo Kuerten's home town of Florianopolis.

Not surprisingly, all 10,000 seats of the Centro de Tennis have been sold out, as Brazil seek a second successive semi-final appearance.

As well as world number two Kuerten, the Brazil team comprises Fernando Meligeni, Alexandre Simoni and Jaime Oncins.

Australia boast a strong side in world number seven Lleyton Hewitt, world number eight Patrick Rafter, Wayne Arthurs (63) and one of Richard Fromberg (129) or Scott Draper (218).

Brazil will be seeking to avenge their 5-0 defeat in last year's semi-final.

Significantly, though, that tie took place on Brisbane grass not Brazilian clay.

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Sweden v Russia

The winners of that tie face either Sweden or Russia, who meet in Malmo.

Russia's chances have been hit by an injury to US Open champion Marat Safin.

The 21-year-old, who recently recruited former Swedish great Mats Wilander as coach, has a back injury and will be replaced by Mikhail Yuzhny.

Rosset has made up with coach Jakob Hlasek

Yevgeny Kafelnikov, fourth in the Champions Race, has set the Davis Cup as the last major goal of his tennis career.

In Safin's likely absence, he will have a crucial role, as 18-year-old Yuzhny and Andrei Stolyarov, ranked 122nd in the world, make up the rest of the team.

Coach Shamil Tarpishchev said: "If Marat was at his peak I would say we were the favourites in the match in Malmo.

"Without him we have not more than a 30% chance of going through."

Sweden have injury concerns too with doubles specialist Nicklas Kulti out with a foot injury.

They have called up 26-year-old Simon Aspelin in his place.

He has been training with Magnus Norman, Thomas Johansson, Jonas Bjorkman and reserve Andreas Vinciguerra since Monday on the indoor hardcourt venue in Malmo, where the matches will be played.

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Switzerland v France

Marc Rosset returns to the Swiss side as they seek to build on their victory over the US against France in Neuchatel.

France fancy their chances of going all the way this year.

They have Arnaud Clement and Sebastien Grosjean (finalist and semi-finalist in the Australian Open respectively) in singles, while Fabrice Santori and Cedric Pioline team up in the doubles.

The 19-year-old prodigy Roger Federer is the star of the Swiss team along with Rosset, back after a self-imposed exile.

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Netherlands v Germany

The Dutch outsiders, who shocked champions Spain 4-1 in the last round, are without star player Richard Krajicek as they host Germany.

In his absence, Raemon Sluiter and Sjeng Schalken will feature in the singles while Paul Haarhuis and Sjeng Schalken are the doubles duo.

Krajicek's absence is a huge blow for the Dutch

Germany, who defeated the Dutch 4-1 last year, have concerns of their own, but key player Tommy Haas is expected to play despite an ankle injury.

David Prinosil, Nicolas Kiefer and Jens Knippschild make up the rest of the side, with Rainer Schuttler on stand-by.

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All times BST

Friday 6 April: 1300-1715 BBC Two (including racing from Aintree)
1410-1525 BBC One
0045-0135 BBC Two

Saturday 7 April: 1400-1715 BBC Two

Sunday 8 April: 1330-1830 BBC Two (as part of Sunday Grandstand)