The Spanish doubles pair of Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez have a lot going for them, but it’s not necessarily about tennis. They will represent Spain in the Davis Cup final against Argentine in Buenos Aires later this month. They have had some success as a pair, but have not beaten any of the world’s best doubles pairs, fortunately for them whoever the Argentine coach choses as his doubles pair they will be no better than the Spaniards. Neither country has a world class doubles pair. An unusual doubles pair, they are both left handed, Fer and Fel as they have been dubbed are both handsome heart throbs whose faces and bare bodies are seen on the pages of many magazines. Both men are single, but maybe not for much longer. Lopez has been dating girlfriend Maria Antonia Sanchez Lorenzo for more than two years. She is a professional tennis player, and they are always seen together. Verdasco has had a parade of girls linked to his name, actresses and tennis players, but it would appear that he may have found the ‘right’ one in tennis star Ana Ivanovic. They make a handsome couple, and when all else fails, and they their conversation starts lagging, they can always revert to telling tennis stories. Pictures of Fernando sitting in Ana’s friend’s box beside her parents have been circulating, and adding fuel to the romance speculation.

If Rafael Nadal is unable to play in the Davis Cup, it is quite possible that Verdasco could be called upon to play singles. He is only a couple of places behind compatriot David Ferrer in the ATP rankings, and would be the logical choice for coach Emilio Sanchez. The dynamic duo would be history and a new partner for Verdasco would have to found. At the 2008 US Open the pair was beaten in the quarter finals by a pair who was comprised of fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo and Sergio Roitman, a player strangely enough from Argentine. It will be a difficult decision for the coach, and one that he will be second guessed about should Spain lose.

Feliciano Lopez lives in Madrid and he has just one singles title to his credit, he won in Vienna in 2004, and he has one doubles title he won in Stockholm with Verdasco. He suffered a severe injury when he was 18, breaking both wrists, and the long recovery set his career back by at least a year or two. This year saw him reach the final of the Dubai Open where he lost to Andy Roddick 7-6, 4-6, 2-6.

Fernando Verdasco has won two ATP titles and in Australian open 2008 rose through the rankings to #11. He has developed a powerful forehand which may be the best of all the players. He has the ability to put a great deal of spin on the ball in much the same way that Nadal does. I wonder if Ana will be in Argentine for the Davis Cup to watch her new boyfriend?

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