Seville: Argentina decided to hold back David Nalbandian, choosing Juan Monaco against Rafael Nadal in the opening singles of the Davis Cup final. The second-ranked Nadal will return to the Olympic Stadium, where he helped Spain win the title in 2004, to face the 26th-ranked Monaco in the opener of the best-of-five series. Fifth-ranked David Ferrer will play Juan Martin del Potro.
Nalbandian, who has been sidelined since mid-October with various injuries, will team with Eduardo Schwank in doubles on Saturday.
Nadal has won 18-straight singles matches in the competition since losing in his debut match in 2004.
"It's a tough match, not only to play the first game for Argentina but also against my good friend Rafa," Monaco said on Thursday at the Lope de Vega theater, the site of the draw for the final. "It's a new challenge, but it definitely motivates me to be playing in my first Davis Cup final."
Monaco is only 5-7 in Davis Cup play, while Nalbandian is 22-5 in singles and 10-1 on clay. Overall, Nalbandian is 33-10 overall in the competition. Nadal and Ferrer are a combined 25-0 on clay for four-time champions Spain.
"No match is won beforehand. Somebody has to play first and I'm going to be the first to try and win that first point for Spain," said Nadal, a six-time French Open champion who is scheduled to play Del Potro in Sunday's reverse singles. "Even if I'm tired, I tried my best to arrive in the best conditions. Every point will be a difficult one."
On Saturday, Nalbandian and Schwank will face Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.
If Argentina can get at least one point on Friday or Saturday, it is possible that Nalbandian would replace Monaco for Sunday's reverse singles match against Ferrer.
Because Nalbandian hasn't played in two months, Argentina captain Tito Vazquez decided to save the 2002 Wimbledon finalist for doubles. Schwank, who is 2-0 in doubles on clay, replaced Juan Ignacio Chela.
So far, Spain are ahead in the sleep department. Argentina's team was awakened for doping tests at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.
"It's a shame since it was a rest day and we didn't get to rest," Vazquez said. "It didn't seem very appropriate. They could have done it the day before at another moment, but unfortunately that's not up to us to decide."
Nalbandian, Monaco and Del Potro were tested, Vazquez said.
"We all want a clean sport," Nadal said. "But the system and the way it is used leaves much to be desired."
Nadal is coming off a disappointing ATP World Tour Finals in London, where he was eliminated in the first round and said he felt less passion for the game. While Nadal surrendered the No. 1 ranking to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, his Davis Cup record has been a perfect since losing in his 2004 debut. That same year he went on to beat Andy Roddick in singles to help Spain defeat the United States for the title in Seville.
Carlos Moya, Nadal's teammate on that squad, said the 10-time Grand Slam winner will be tough to beat.
"He's always valued the Davis Cup and he's a great leader. He pretty much guarantees two points for the team," Moya told The Associated Press. "He likes to be surrounded by teammates, in a competition that represents the whole country and the pressure that it brings."
Spain are playing in their sixth final since their first Davis Cup win in 2000. The Spanish also won in 2004, 2008 and 2009. Spain beat favored Argentina without Nadal in the 2008 final in Mar del Plata. This year, it's the Spanish team that is trying to keep from being overconfident, heading into the final weekend of the season.
"They gave us up for beaten before the final and we won," Verdasco said. "Both teams have a chance in the final. You still have to win it."
Nalbandian will be playing in his third final for Argentina.
"Everything is different this time," he said.
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