• Davis Cup

Nadal to open Spanish title bid

ESPN staff
December 1, 2011
Rafael Nadal is hoping to guide Spain to victory on home soil © Getty Images
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Rafael Nadal will open Spain's Davis Cup final bid against Juan Monaco in Seville.

With his team bidding to win a third title in four years, the world No. 2 leads a strong Spanish side that will take on Argentina on home soil.

Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro plays in the second singles rubber on Friday against world No. 5 David Ferrer, and will meet Nadal in Sunday's reverse singles, with Ferrer going head-to-head with Monaco in what could be a deciding tie.

Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco takes on David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank in Saturday's doubles rubber.

The teams met in the 2008 final in Argentina, where the Spaniards claimed a 3-1 victory in the absence of Nadal.

Nadal raised fears over his fitness last week after admitting exhaustion had caused him to lose some of his passion on the court. But the French Open champion insists he will give everything for his nation's cause this week.

"The motivation to share with all my friends this final is there and even if I'm tired I will play my best," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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