Final pairings for Davis Cup announced

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina -- Argentina's David Nalbandian will face Spain's David Ferrer on Friday in the opening match of the Davis Cup final.

Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina's top-ranked player at No. 9, was drawn Thursday to play Feliciano Lopez in the second singles match of the best-of-five series.

"Juan Martin had a slight preference to play second," Argentina captain Alberto Mancini said. "And the fact that David is first is good because he has more experience."

In Saturday's doubles, Jose Acasuso and Agustin Calleri of Argentina will play Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.

The reverse singles will be held Sunday.

"Argentina has a great team and they want to win and have a big celebration," Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario said. "We also have a great team and we want to have our celebration, although a little smaller since we're not in our own country."

Nalbandian has lost six of the nine times he has played Ferrer, while Del Potro has won two of the three against Lopez.

"Ferrer is a complete player, very even, solid along the back of the court, and he runs and fights for each ball," Nalbandian said.

Marcel Granollers, a replacement for the injured Rafael Nadal, could still play because each captain has the right to make changes.

Argentina is hoping Nadal's absence -- because of tendinitis in his knee -- will boost its chances to win the Davis Cup for the first time, while Spain is trying to win its third title.

"Being hosts and with Rafa not coming, no one doubts that Argentina is the favourite," Mancini said.

This weekend's series is the second time the tournament will be held in Latin America, after Chile lost to visiting Italy in 1976.

Spain beat Australia in the 2000 final and then defeated the United States in 2004. The Spanish also made the semifinals in 1965, '67 and 2003, losing all three times to host Australia. Argentina has reached the final twice, losing to the United States in 1981 and to Russia in 2006.