Nadal, del Potro Primed For Battle

© Getty ImagesRafael Nadal will attempt to lead Spain to a fifth Davis Cup trophy.

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal will spearhead Spain’s campaign to win a fifth Davis Cup title this weekend when he leads his country against Argentina at the Olympic Stadium in Seville. The 25 year old has an 18-1 Davis Cup singles record and helped his country to victory in the ITF men’s team competition in 2009 and 2004.

"It’s always a pleasure to play in front of my crowd, in front of the Spanish people; it’s always a special feeling when that happens," said Nadal, who was instrumental to Spain’s success against the United States in the 2004 final, which was also played on clay in Seville. "We are very excited and have a big illusion to try to play our best and to try to win the fifth title. We want to enjoy a fantastic atmosphere here and feel the love of the crowd."

Nadal was absent from the Spanish team that went down to Mar del Plata in Argentina in 2008 and upset the odds with victory on an indoor hard court, with Fernando Verdasco hailed as a hero after beating Jose Acasuso in the fourth rubber. But Argentine No. 1, Juan Martin del Potro insisted that tie is far from the minds of the visitors as they look to win the coveted Davis Cup crown for the first time after three runner-up finishes.

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"The final will be different from Mar del Plata," said del Potro, who was beaten by Feliciano Lopez in the second rubber of the 2008 final. "If we are very, very focussed for the first matches on Friday, maybe we will have the chance to win. The 2008 final is in the past, three years ago. We are different players. I have grown up and improved my game a lot. Now we have another chance to win; we are very calm in our team and trying to do everything to be ready to fight."

The 2009 US Open champion backed his team to pull off an upset in Seville this weekend, just as Spain did three years ago in Mar del Plata, insisting that the home pressure could affect the Spanish team. "I’m feeling really glad to play another final. We know it’s very special for the Argentinean people and players to play in a Davis Cup final. We are expecting to do a good match and try to make a surprise.

"It’s very tough to beat Spain on clay courts here in Spain," continued del Potro, who is joined in the Argentine team by David Nalbandian, Juan Monaco and Juan Ignacio Chela. "But we will try very hard to take our chance to win. This time Spain is the favourite, so we will see the pressure because they are going to be nervous to win at home."

Nadal and World No. 5 David Ferrer were the last to arrive in Seville, after competing on the indoor hard court of The O2 at last week’s Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. Spanish captain, Albert Costa, said the team was working hard to adapt to the clay.

"It’s a very important moment for our team and also for the country," said Costa. "We will try our best and give 100 per cent. The guys are doing a very good job trying to adapt to the clay court again as fast as they can.

"We know that our team is very strong, with Rafa even stronger; it’s very important to have him in the team, but we still have to win three points. I think we are slight favourites, but Argentina is a very strong team. They play very good in Davis Cup and it’s going to be tough for sure."