The last time Argentina met Spain in the Davis Cup, in the 2008 final in Mar del Plata, the South Americans were firm favorites to claim their first title but their challenge was wrecked by infighting within the team. The Spanish, without talisman Rafa Nadal, pulled off a dramatic victory on the indoor hard court for a third triumph in nine years, Fernando Verdasco battling from two sets to one down to beat Jose Acasuso and secure an unassailable 3-1 lead. With clay king Nadal leading the charge and the 2011 final to be played on the red dust indoors in Seville, the boot is very much on the other foot and anything other than a Spanish victory – giving it a third title in four years and fifth overall – would be a major surprise. Argentina, which has Juan Monaco, Juan Ignacio Chela and Eduardo Schwank alongside Juan Martin Del Potro and David Nalbandian in the squad for the Dec. 2-4 tie, say the personality clashes that ruined their 2008 bid are firmly behind them. “That's in the past, completely in the past,” Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, told a news conference Tuesday. “After that (2008) final, we grew up, I've improved my game a lot and now we have another chance,” added the rangy 23-year-old, Argentina's top-ranked player at world No. 11. “Here it's different players, different surface, different stadium and this time Spain is the favourite. “It's going to be different than Mar del Plata, if we are in good shape and remain focused.” Verdasco said he knew the Argentines were hurt by the defeat three years ago. “They were at home and favorites and it's clear they want to pay us back,” he said. “But we are preparing as if we have never won it before.” Argentina's players have been working hard on clay and are hoping the fact that neither Del Potro nor Nalbandian have played a competitive match since October will give them a freshness the Spanish may lack. Nadal and Ferrer competed on a hard court at last week's World Tour Finals in London, with Ferrer reaching the last four, and have had less than a week to make the switch to their favoured clay. However, getting the better of either world No. 2 Nadal or No. 5 Ferrer will be a tall order for the visitors. “I'm sure it's an open match in some ways but I think Spain is really the overwhelming favorite,” world No. 3 Roger Federer told the Davis Cup website (www.daviscup.com) this week. “They are playing at home and they have an incredibly solid team,” added the Swiss. “(Argentina) have their players and their team and anything is possible, but obviously it's normal to favour the Spaniards with Rafa on the team, back on clay.” The draw for the three-day final is Thursday, when team captains Albert Costa of Spain and Argentina's Tito Vazquez will name their line
