Del Potro targets Cup glory

Juan Martin del Potro is relishing the opportunity of making the "dream" of winning the Davis Cup a reality against Spain.

Argentinian confident he has "the weapons" to beat Lopez

Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro is relishing the opportunity of making the "dream" of winning the Davis Cup a reality against Spain. Alberto Mancini's Argentina are gunning for their first Davis Cup triumph after going close in 1981 and 2006. This time, though, Argentina are playing as hosts and they hope that will be the decisive factor when the singles matches get underway at Mar del Plata. David Nalbandian, world-ranked 11, opens against David Ferrer, while Del Potro, who ended the ATP season in ninth place in the rankings, takes on Feliciano Lopez. Del Potro said: "Feliciano is very dangerous. His drive is so good, as well as his serve.

Struggling

"This surface (indoor carpet) also helps him, but I have got used to the court too. Anyway, I have the weapons to beat him. "I had some time to recover after playing the Masters Cup in Shanghai. Tomorrow the dream of all of us starts and we must put everything aside and play." Del Potro has been struggling with a toenail problem but insists he will be fine to play on Friday in front of the Sky Sports cameras. "I don't know whether I will have to be given an injection. The nail will not be an obstruction to playing tomorrow," he said. Lopez, who was only unveiled as Spain's second singles player on Thursday, is relishing the chance to play in the final.

Complete player

"Fernando (Verdasco) and I were both prepared to play. I have the opportunity and hope I can play well and make things difficult for Juan Martin," he said. "The tie is still tough. Tomorrow, at the end of the day, we'll have a review, but so far, on paper, it looks difficult." Spain will certainly have their work cut out to claim victory given Argentina's impeccable home record in Davis Cup matches - the South Americans have not lost a home tie since 1998, winning 13 in a row, nine of them 5-0. Nalbandian himself has never lost an opening rubber when playing at home, but expects an even game against Ferrer. He said: "He is a very complete player. He does not have one strongest shot. He plays well at the back of the court. He is a fighter, so I must be aggressive. "He will fight until the last ball and I know that if I want to beat him I have to play very well. If not, you cannot defeat Ferrer." Draw for the Davis Cup final between Argentina and Spain in Mar del Plata:
Friday's singles (play starts 3pm)
David Nalbandian v David Ferrer
Juan Martin del Potro v Feliciano Lopez Saturday's doubles (4pm)
Jose Acasuso/Agustin Calleri v Fernando Verdasco/Lopez Sunday's reverse singles (2pm)
Del Potro v Ferrer
Nalbandian v Lopez