Mark Petchey says Feliciano Lopez could hold the key to Spanish Davis Cup glory in this week's final.
Mark Petchey predicts a memorable and close finale
Feliciano Lopez has a glorious chance to emerge from Rafael Nadal's vast shadow by guiding Spain to a third Davis Cup triumph in Mar del Plata this weekend.
What's more, Argentina might just have played into his hands by choosing to play indoors.
The surface matters little to Nadal - he can play on the moon - and with the World No 1 out injured I think the hosts will now wish they had stuck the contest on clay in Buenos Aires.
A hard court definitely favours Lopez, who will contest three of the five matches. He'll love the occasion and is capable of playing phenomenally well under pressure.
This is a huge opportunity for him and the rest of the team to show the Spanish public just how good they are.
Singled out
The outcome, though, will be close. There's every chance that David Nalbandian will draw on his previous final experience to give Argentina an early lead. When he wants to he can really play.
His opponent, David Ferrer, has had a pretty average indoor European season so I think Argentina will feel fairly confident of taking that one which frees up Juan Martin del Potro for the second match against Lopez.
Indeed, I would look at these two guys to decide where the Davis Cup going this year.
Indoors on hard is not a great surface for del Potro as he doesn't have the serve and doesn't move as well as the other guys; it is a definite disadvantage to him.
Moreover, he's relatively inexperienced and although he's had an incredible second half of the season this is an occasion that has got the better of more talented players than him in the past.
In contrast, Lopez is a tough customer indoors as his results in Dubai this season and performances in places like Vienna over the years show.
Leftie lift
The Spaniards could also have the edge in the doubles. Lopez and Verdasco are more comfortable volleying than Acasuso and Agustin Calleri and possess better on-court chemistry as a result of playing more big games together.
It's true that Calleri has the ability to step up and play inspirational tennis and I would have favoured the Argentinian pairing on clay but indoors expect the two leftie servers should have the advantage.
Whoever does go on and win this phenomenal tournament can take pride in a great achievement.
The Davis Cup is still the biggest annual sporting event in the world and for a lot of countries it is the lifeline their Federations need to generate income and produce players.
Fifth major
It has a much bigger impact globally than I think people are aware of. When you look at the weekends that we cover on Sky they attract some of the best crowds of the whole year.
For the likes of Roger Federer and Nadal, winning this is one of the ultimate achievements in the sport. It ranks as a fifth major. Federer has obviously recognised that fact and with Stanilas Wawrinka now in the frame clearly thinks Switzerland have got a shot at winning it.
Argentina are almost there - their first Davis Cup title is within reach - but when you play at home there is an element of reverse pressure because you feel everything is geared up for you to succeed.
Perhaps it is not just coincidence that Spain's two previous wins have come in an Olympic year.
