Cup Final Countdown: Two days to go!
Originally published on: 26/02/10 15:03
With around 48 hours still to go until this weekends Argentina-Spain Davis Cup showdown, its all about whos saying what as the build-up continues at the Estadio Islas Malvinas in Mar del Plata.
The most bullish quotes to come out of either camp so far have been from Argentina captain Alberto Mancini who hasnt been afraid of tempting fate by announcing that he reckons his side can wallop the Spaniards 5-0.
Today, I would say we can win all five points, said a modest Mancini on Tuesday. The boys are playing very well in practice.
A lot may depend on the fitness of his star man, Juan Martin Del Potro, who says hes starting to feel human again after a deep vein thrombosis-inducing 27-hour flight from Shanghai.
Im slowly starting to feel better, said the 20-year-old world No.9. Theres still three days to go and Im quickly getting used to the court.
Spains captain Emilio Sanchez, meanwhile, is keeping his cards close to his chest preferring instead to tow the party line about how tough his task is, and how strong Argentina are – even on a hard court.
Although Argentina and Spain are traditionally clay-courters, Del Potro and Nalbandian have had excellent results on hard courts, Sanchez said.
After the hard court season, it would have been too much for them to switch to clay so it was more beneficial for them to choose a hard court.
Del Potro wouldnt have had time to get used to a slow court either, so if they had chosen to play on clay, the level of tennis all round wouldnt have been the same.
A story about the Davis Cup final wouldnt be a story about the Davis Cup final without yet another quote about Rafael Nadals withdrawal. So here goes.
We dont think about Rafas absence anymore, said Sanchez (as he thoguht about Rafa’s absence). If we keep reminding ourselves that he is not here, the Spanish people watching at home on TV would ask
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