Features

Spain target Davis Cup double

Author: John Harris
Date: 29/11/2009
Tennis betting

Tennis lovers will be eagerly anticipating the Davis Cup final at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona that starts on December 4.

The three-day spectacle could see Spain become the first country since Sweden in 1998 to claim back-to-back successes.

Five rubbers will be played to determine the winner of the tie and, with all four Spaniards in the top 50, they are the overwhelming sportsbook favourites to come out on top.

The hosts, who defeated Argentina last year, take on the Czech Republic and will be aiming to shoot themselves to a fourth Davis Cup crown having also previously won the competition in 2000 and 2004.

Spain captain Albert Costa has called upon the services of Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez while his counterpart Jaroslav Navratil has charged Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, Jan Hajek and Lukas Dlouhy to go out and upset the market leaders.

Back in 1980, the then Czechoslovakia won the competition on home soil in Prague thanks to Ivan Lendl's heroics and they will look to that for their inspiration, with Stepanek himself knowing how important it is for the nation.

In the lead-up to the final, he said: "1980 is a huge inspiration for me. Now, we are the inspirations for others which is great for tennis in our country. The whole country lives with the Davis Cup."

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The Czech Republic dismantled Croatia 4-1 in the semi-finals to earn their berth in the final while Spain defeated Israel by the same scoreline in the last four.

Tommy Robredo, who featured in the last round, has been replaced by Nadal and, if the world number two's second final is to prove successful, much rests upon his shoulders now that he is back from injury.

Nadal featured in the first round win against Serbia but his lay-off forced him out of the Germany and Israel meetings but he is raring to go once again.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "The Davis Cup is always a special competition so every tie is important. I said before the season started that the Davis Cup this year is going to be an important goal for me."

Nadal will be hoping to rectify his one and only Davis Cup defeat, on his debut - ironically against Czech Republic in 2004 - but he bounced back and defeated Stepanek in the deciding fifth match.

The Spanish will be hoping for much the same this year as they look to stamp their authority on the competition yet again.

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