Starting tomorrow in Seville, Spain, two tennis powerhouses will meet to decide the 2011 Davis Cup Champions. Argentina, always the bridesmaid never the bride (3 Finals, No Titles), took down underwhelming Romania & Kazakhstan in the first two rounds, before colliding with Serbia in the semifinals. In a tie that many thought would go down to the last rubber, Novak Djokovic’s amazing summer finally took its toll, and Argentina was able to advance to the finals without too much trouble. The team that awaits them is the four-time champion (all in the Aughts) Spaniards, who cruised into this years Championship – taking out Belgium, United States, and France, losing just a total of three matches along the way.
The schedule has been announced and the rubbers will be played as follows (Olympic Stadium, Indoor Clay):
Friday, Dec 2 – Rafael Nadal vs. Juan Monaco followed by David Ferrer vs. Juan Martin del Potro
Saturday, Dec 3 – Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco vs. David Nalbandian/Eduardo Schwank
Sunday, Dec 4 – Rafael Nadal vs. Juan Martin del Potro followed by David Ferrer vs. Juan Monaco
Let’s take it rubber by rubber, shall we?
1. Nadal vs. Monaco
I don’t care how tired he is, I don’t care that he got embarrassed by Federer in London, I’ll spare you any further analysis – Nadal is not losing to Juan Monaco in front of his home crowd.
2. Ferrer vs. del Potro
This, as they say, is a BIG one. Has Ferrer recovered from his semifinal run in London? Will the slow surface really hamper del Potro’s typical huge game? These are probably the two major questions surrounding this rubber. If betting on tennis were legal, I’d have to go with Ferrer. However, I’m going to go with my heart here and pick del Potro, because I really want this tie to go the distance!
3. Lopez/Verdasco vs. Nalbandian/Schwank
Schwank is probably the best doubles player of the crew, and was ranked in the top 15 earlier in 2011, but I don’t think that will be enough to overcome the Spanish lefties. Lopez & Verdasco have a ton of experience playing together in Davis Cup Ties, and combined with the hometown crowd I think they win here to give Spain a 2-1 advantage.
4. Nadal vs. del Potro
As confident as I was picking Nadal over Monaco, I have next to none against the other ‘Juan.’ (Thanks, Ill be here all night). Maybe the Spanish crowd will inspire him to victory, but I really think del Potro is going to pull off another upset and force a 5th and deciding rubber.
5. Ferrer vs. Monaco Nalbandian
If this tie is indeed knotted at 2-2 going into the 5th rubber, anyone who thinks Argentina will be trotting Monaco out there with their Davis Cup fates on the line also probably thinks that Tim Tebow is better than Tom Brady because he has a better record over the last six games. Another words, David Nalbandian will be taking on Ferrer. The two have met once previously, in 2008 on hard court, and Nalbandian crushed him in straight sets. Obviously, the circumstances will be totally different if that match indeed takes place. Nalbandian is almost 30, knows this might be his last chance, and will ‘leave it all on the court.’ Unfortunately for him & Argentina, I don’t think it will be enough – I see Ferrer taking this in a tight four-set match that could easily go almost 4 hours.
* Editor’s Note: The above I wrote completely with my heart, my head actually thinks Spain is going to clinch it with a doubles victory on Saturday, making Sunday meaningless.
