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11/29/11 6:49 PM | Ricky Dimon
Argentina and Spain will contest a highly-anticipated Davis Cup final this weekend in Seville. The Argentines are seeking their first Davis Cup title.
For the second time in the last for years, the Davis Cup all comes down to Argentina and Spain.
They faced each other in Argentina in the 2008 final, with visiting Spain capturing the title. Spain has won four Davis Cup titles, all in the last 11 years (2000, 2004, 2008, and 2009). The Argentines have never lifted the trophy, having finished runner-up on three occasions (1981, 2006, and 2008).
Seeking its first title, Argentina has to go on the road this time and battle Spain on the indoor clay courts of Seville. As captain of the heavy underdogs, Tito Vazquez has nominated Juan Martin Del Potro, David Nalbandian, Juan Monaco, and Juan Ignacio Chela as his foursome.
Spain is countering with Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez, and Fernando Verdasco. The obvious lineup will be Nadal and Ferrer in singles with Lopez and Verdasco contesting Saturday's doubles rubber.
Argentina booked its spot in the final with victories over Romania (3-0), Kazakhstan (3-0), and defending champion Serbia (3-1). Spain earned its place by taking out Belgium (3-0), the United States (3-1), and France (3-1).
"I think maybe we are a bit the favorites, but we have to show it on the court," said Spanish captain Albert Costa. "(The Argentines) are a very strong team and they play very good in Davis Cup, so it's going to be tough for sure."
"Argentina had a lot of pressure on their shoulders (in 2008)," added Nadal, who is 18-1 lifetime in Davis Cup singles action--including 14-0 on clay. "They saw the opportunity but there was a lot of internal disagreement. It's the same pressure now; they still need to win. We've done it before so that makes us a bit calmer."
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Rafa has proven that even if he's tired he can win on clay : ask Gasquet and Tsonga! The only chance Argentina has is really if Ferrer stumbles. He is the reason Spain is here : see Austin tie. Rats!
Pico looked better than Nalby the last part of the season so Nalby might be relegated to doubles but I doubt it.
numero , 11/30/11 12:14 AM
I'd like to see David winthis won for argentina. He's been struggling for years to win the DC Cup, which would make his career en ding days something to reflect on with great joy, when it's actully over. C'mon argies you can do it!
scoretracker , 11/30/11 12:21 AM
The tracker tracks again! Welcome back most eloquent poster.
Sienna , 11/30/11 12:26 AM
Thanks sienna.
scoretracker , 11/30/11 1:13 AM
Rafa talking in Seville:
http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/copa-davis/nadal-pista- esta-poco-lenta/1260496/
Didn't understand a word, but great to watch.
nadline , 11/30/11 9:55 AM
I cannot WAIT to see Del Potro play Nadal!
ts38 , 11/30/11 10:55 AM
If Spain won the three live rubbers, Rafa and Delpo may not play each other.
luckystar , 11/30/11 12:31 PM
Hope it is a really exciting final with good matches played in good spirits. The Argentinians are good players and fierce competitors when it comes to the DC so I know that they will be difficult to beat.
Vamos & good luck Rafa, David, Feliciano and Fernando - hope you play great tennis and bring the trophy home again for Spain.
schatz , 11/30/11 12:53 PM
In August, Costa said he was more concerned for Rafa winning his rubber, than David winning his. I don't see anything changing there. The Argentinians are more than a little motivated to win here, Nalby for sure would love to end his career with a dc win, but I think a notch in Delpo's belt could spur him on to do great things in 2012 as well. That said, I'm hoping the Spaniards can do this one more time.
Maya , 11/30/11 8:12 PM
I am sure that the Argentinians will be highly motivated to win this DC final. We know that Nalby wants to end his career on a high note and Delpo would love to win this and give himself some momentum going into 2012.
There is some serious talent in that group and they will give the Spanish team a good battle.
Rafa seems to find some kind of inner strength that gets him to play his very best in DC. I know that he will give it his best. He is their rock. I would love to see Rafa end the year on a good note and then move on and get ready for 2012.
Nativenewyorker , 12/1/11 3:02 AM
Forget Pico is your buddy, Rafa.......................take him to the cleaners!!
Vamos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rafaisthebest , 12/1/11 3:09 PM
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I called it carnaval.nOf course it is to some degree. It is fun for the people the spectators get together and can full out have an official henman hill party orsomething equivalent to it. European football cup atmosphere. No no championsleague and no worldcup,v but just below.
Tennis is still a individual sport.
Once Davis cup was a big fish to fry but it has lost much of its prestige.
And of course Roger is a big fan of Davis cup he has a winning percetage of 83 and travelled after his US Open loss to the other side of the world to face the Ozzies on grass.
And we all remember the 1993 shock upset in the fifth tie by Mark Koevermans.
I have great memories of dutch davis cup weekends, but it has become carnaval or
nostalgia event.
The tennisyear has ended and it matters litle of Rafa wins his rubbers or burns it up he will have a lesser win/loss percentage then Fed's.
Sienna , 11/29/11 11:36 PM