The Argentinian fans are anticipating a long awaited victory on their home turf over Spain. It would be a first for the Nation, and only their second appearance in the Davis Cup final. They lost to Russia in the 2006 final in Moscow. Spain has faired somewhat better with a record of 2 wins and 2 losses in their 4 trips to the final. Both of their victories were at home, in 2004 in Seville they beat the USA, and in 2000 in Barcelona they beat Australia.

Just last week the ITF committee selected the indoor hard court venue at Mar del Plano as the site for the 2008 Final. The Argentine members of the committee excused themselves from the selection board, as the choice of court may have much to do with the outcome of the championship. Red clay would have virtually guaranteed 2 singles wins for Nadal, and an insurmountable advantage for the Spaniards. The indoor facility will meet the minimum seating requirements of the Davis Cup’s rules of a 12,000 seat capacity by adding additional seats.

For the uninitiated the Davis Cup format consists of 4 singles matches and 1 doubles match. Two players from each team will play singles on Saturday in a best of five sets match, then on Sunday they will switch and play the opposing pair. The doubles match will be played on Saturday after the singles matches are finished. Someone will emerge as a hero, and unfortunately someone will be labelled as the goat.

The four singles players are Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer for Spain, and David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro for Argentine. The doubles contestants are Calleri and Canas for the home team, and Verdasco and Lopez for Spain. The big question is whether the home court advantage for Argentine can overcome the higher rankings of their two players. Nadal and Ferrer are ranked 1 and 5 respectively, while Nalbandian and del Potro are 9 and 12. In doubles the edge goes to Argentine. Predicting who will win and who will lose can be intriguing and an exercise in futility, but here’s how I see it.

Rafael Nadal will win both of his singles matches, easily against Nalbandian, but in a long exciting match with del Potro. Advantage Spain 2-0.

David Ferrer will lose both of his matches, in two long 5 set affairs that will leave him exhausted especially against the younger del Potro. Score tied 2-2.

The doubles match will decide the winner, even though at the time of the match the Sunday results cannot be factored in. At the end of Saturday’s play Argentine will be ahead 2-1, putting Spain in the position of having to win both Sunday singles matches. The showdown will come down to the match between del Potro and Ferrer on Sunday. A lot of pressure on the shoulders of a 20 year old, and much depends on how the two coaches decide to match up their players.

My bags are packed, I’m ready to go!

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