Rafael Nadal will take on Juan Monaco in the opening match of the Davis Cup final in Seville on Friday.
Argentina overlook Nalbandian for opening singles
Rafael Nadal will take on Juan Monaco in the opening match of the Davis Cup final in Seville on Friday.
The world number two will lead Spain's bid to clinch a third title in the team event in four years on his favoured clay surface.
Nadal has an unbeaten 14-0 record on clay in Davis Cup while David Ferrer, who takes on Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in the second singles match, is 11-0.
David Nalbandian, playing in his third Davis Cup final for Argentina, was overlooked for the opening singles but will partner Eduardo Schwank in Saturday's doubles against the Spanish pairing of Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.
Improved
Argentina fluffed their biggest chance to win the title for the first time three years ago, when they lost to Spain on home soil.
But Del Potro insists there are no lasting scars from that hard-court defeat.
"That is in the past, completely in the past," he said. "After that final, we grew up, I've improved my game a lot and now we have another chance.
"We are very calm within the team and trying to do everything okay to be ready to fight.
"To me, every final is different. 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."
Proportion
Nadal failed to make in past the group phase at the ATP Tour Finals in London last week and was quoted as saying he had lost his passion for the game.
But he put those comments in perspective after Thursday's practice session in Seville.
"Things get blown out of proportion very often because conclusions are drawn far beyond the meaning of what's said," he said.
"It's true that this season has been tough. More than a lack of passion, it is a weariness from many years of playing at this level, week after week.
"The important thing now is to work each day at 100% with the excitement needed to win the Davis Cup.
"They [Argentina] have great players, all of which stand out on the circuit, so the only thing we can do is concentrate on reaching the final as prepared as possible and then hope our rivals don't have an inspired weekend."
