Argentina's David Nalbandian will Friday meet Spaniard David Ferrer in the opening Davis Cup final singles, following Thursday's draw.

Nalbandian, ranked 11 in the world, will be looking to get the hosts off to a flying start against a man ranked just one place below him in the final at Mar del Plata, 400 kilometres south of the capital Buenos Aires.

World number nine Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro will take on 31st-ranked Feliciano Lopez in the second singles match prior to Saturday's doubles and Sunday's reverse singles.

Although the tie is on hardcourt and the Spaniards traditionally have a predilection for clay, their tandem of 16th-ranked Lopez and Fernando Verdasco will be slightly favoured to take the doubles rubber ahead of 60th-ranked Agustin Calleri and 48th-ranked Jose Acasuso.

Argentina, twice beaten by their opponents in previous encounters in the competition, are bidding to win the event for the first time in their history whereas Spain lifted the Cup in 2000 and 2004.

But Spanish hopes have been severely dented this year by the loss through injury of world number one Rafael Nadal, who was a champion four years ago.

This is the first time that Argentina have played in a Davis Cup final in Argentina after away losses in 1981 to the United States and 2006 to Russia.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last 13 home ties and in Nalbandian have a welter of tournament experience as he goes in with a 26-8 win-loss record.

Nalbandian, Calleri and Acasuso were members of the squad beaten in Moscow two years ago.

Argentina and Spain are currently ranked number three and four respectively in the ITF Davis Cup Nations Rankings.

AFP

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